The 2024 F1 Academy season is drawing to a close, with just two rounds left in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Hamda Al Qubaisi and Tina Hausmann are using this time to reflect on their journeys in the series.
While Al Qubaisi is wrapping up her second and final season, Hausmann is completing her debut year with optimism for the future. Both drivers shared insights into their performances, challenges, and what lies ahead.
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The Final Push in Qatar and Abu Dhabi
As the championship heads into its decisive rounds, both drivers focus on finishing strong. Al Qubaisi, who races for MP Motorsport and is part of the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme, currently sits 6th in the driver standings, with a chance to match her best career finish of third, achieved last year.
“Being 6th in the standings is quite good. I feel like we’re all very close, 4th, 5th, and 6th especially. So my aim for sure would be to try to collect points as much as possible. The pace here in testing was promising, so I was really happy about it.”
The 22-year-old driver feels confident heading into the weekend, thanks to the car and the insights gained during testing. Her goal is to make the most of the remaining races and finish, if not in third place, at least ahead of Chloe Chambers (4th) and Nerea Martí (5th).
Hausmann, who races for Prema Racing and is in her first F1 Academy season, currently sits 12th in the standings. Despite facing technical challenges throughout the year, she remains optimistic about the upcoming races:
“It’s been quite a tough season. Every weekend and every race, we had some technical issues, except for the first race in Jeddah, where we finished P6.”
“I know I can get much, much better results than so far, and I just hope that luck is more on our side and that we have a good car as the teammates this time.”
Lessons Learned and Growth as Drivers
For both drivers, F1 Academy has been more than just a racing platform—it’s been a transformative experience that has prepared them for the next steps in their careers. Hausmann highlighted how the series has helped her develop both on and off the track:
“It’s a huge platform that we got for all the races, with the Netflix show coming, and it’s a big learning curve on track, but for sure also off track with all the media exposure. I think I developed a lot in that area.”
The Red Bull Academy driver echoed these sentiments, emphasizing how F1 Academy has opened doors for sponsorship and growth:
“Being part of such an amazing team helped me for my future races as well because now, going into next year, I’ll be able to find support and sponsors, which is very helpful. We all know this sport is quite expensive, so financially, I think it’s really important to have the backing, and F1 Academy really helped me on that side.”
A Year to Remember
When asked about standout moments in their F1 Academy careers, both drivers shared personal highlights. For Al Qubaisi, one experience stood out above all others:
“Putting aside the podium I got, I feel like on the media side, they took me to New York. I was shocked when I saw New York. I was on the screen in Times Square. I was like, oh, that’s me! It was a pinch-me moment.”
For Hausmann, the highlight has been the opportunity itself:
“It’s difficult to choose one. I think a very big highlight was just to get the confirmation that I will race in F1 Academy and be able to represent Aston Martin and to join Aston Martin. I’m still processing that I got this chance and to sit here and race here in Qatar in F1 Academy.”
Their Thoughts on the Future and the 2025 Calendar
While Al Qubaisi is set to graduate from F1 Academy, Hausmann is hopeful for another season with the series, as she could enjoy the new tracks confirmed for the 2025 calendar. The Red Bull Academy driver expressed gratitude for the opportunities the team has provided:
“We have been talking about next year, but it’s most important that they gave me connections and that I’m able to get support from my side. So nothing is confirmed for next year, of course, but honestly, with the support that I got this year, it was major. It’s a big learning curve for me, and it’s putting me in the right direction for my future career.”
When asked about the new calendar, she felt a little jealous:
“I’m kind of jealous I really wanted to be a part of it, but I think it’s just amazing to see Las Vegas involved, and Montreal. It’s just amazing circuits that I’ve seen on the calendar, and I’m excited to watch them.”
For Hausmann, it’s an amazing opportunity:
“This year’s calendar was really cool, but next year also to race in Asia is super cool, to have two races in the US, it’s opportunities I never thought I would get at the age of 18. I really am proud of this and happy to be racing probably next year again, and I cannot wait.”
The 18-year-old balances her excitement with the challenge of managing both her racing and school responsibilities.
“The races are super far away from home, from Switzerland, so it’s going to be a bit tricky since I have my final exams for school in the middle of all these races.”
The F1 Academy returns to action this weekend at Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit, with the season finale set for Abu Dhabi the following weekend. There, all the attention will be on Abbi Pulling’s bid to secure the championship title.
Feature Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool and PREMA Racing.
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