The moving double Dutch triumph at Zandvoort 

The F1 Academy returned to the Zandvoort circuit last weekend. Two Dutch drivers, Nina Gademan and Maya Weug, gave the crowd two home victories, which were celebrated with emotion to the tune of "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe."

Published 03/09/2025 à 17:33

Louise of the Manor

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The moving double Dutch triumph at Zandvoort 

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The Dutch Grand Prix provided an unforgettable weekend for Dutch fans. Two local drivers, Nina Gademan and Maya Weug, climbed onto the top step of the podium, to the delight of the Zandvoort stands. The emotion of a first home victory on Saturday fueled the enthusiasm of the crowd, which was white-hot on Sunday morning, despite the relatively early start of the main race, scheduled more than four hours before the start. Formula 1 (10:40 p.m.). 

Carried by this fervor, but also put under pressure by the expectations of their fans, the two winners were able to put on a real show. For F1 Academy, this double is much more than just a sporting success: it is an ideal showcase for a growing series, capable of captivating crowds and, at times, surpassing in intensity other categories of motor sport. 

An emotional first victory for Nina Gademan 

A year after his first appearance in F1 Academy as a Wild Card at Zandvoort, the pilot Alpine signed his very first victory, at home. Declared unfit Despite a medical delay in the second free practice session, the Dutchwoman still set the eighth fastest time in qualifying. Thanks to the reverse grid, she started on the front row of Race 1 alongside Swiss driver Tina Haussmann. 

After a perfect start, she immediately took the lead and avoided incidents in the peloton: the American Chloe Chambers dropped back to eighth place after contact with the Frenchwoman Dorian Pin on the first lap, while Hausmann lost control in the eighth corner of the second lap. Forced to retire, the driver Aston Martin came out of her car, fortunately unharmed, to the applause of an audience impressed by the scene unfolding before their eyes. 

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Confident at the restart after the safety car, Gademan managed his lead and crossed the line with 2,116 seconds ahead of Lia Block. During the race, I stayed focused, because you shouldn't let yourself be carried away by your emotions.Nina Gademan explained on arrival. I got off to a very good start and had a very good first few laps until the safety car came out. I followed my team principal's instructions for the restart after the safety car and got off to a good start. » 

A success made all the more special by the fact that it came on her twenty-second birthday. After several narrowly missed podium finishes in Shanghai and Montreal, the PREMA driver was overwhelmed with joy, as she was celebrated by the Dutch public. 

Maya Weug's victory revives the championship 

Although Frenchwoman Doriane Pin still leads the championship with 127 points, it was her Dutch rival Maya Weug who rocked the stands on Sunday. Classic Ferrari for sale first distinguished itself in qualifying, taking pole position with a tiny margin of 0,039 secondAlready a solid third in the sprint race despite starting from eighth place, she then dominated the main race. Unfazed, Weug gradually pulled away to win by more than seven seconds – the second-largest winning margin in the history of the category. 

With this victory, she is back to just 20 points behind championship leader Doriane Pin. In front of her home crowd, she demonstrated that she has what it takes to return to the top and, perhaps, reverse the trend in the championship. 

« I think we just have to keep going, persevere, and focus on ourselves, because that's all we can do.says Maya Weug. Try to maximize our places and points, because we cannot influence what others do. »  

« That's what we have to do now, with Singapore and Las Vegas in mind. I'm really excited and looking forward to the next two rounds because we're getting closer and I think we still have a good chance of getting there [to win the championship]. »  

The battle for the title is more open than ever, and the duel between the Frenchwoman and the Dutchwoman promises to keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.

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