F1 Academy was back this weekend in Zandvoort, and PREMA Racing’s resurgence in form saw them return to the top step of the podium.
Mercedes Junior Driver Doriane Pin led from pole in a rainy Race 2 to secure her second win of the season. She was also on course for a podium in the first race before receiving a penalty, ultimately finishing fifth. Afterwards, Pin reflected on the weekend, stating:
“It has been a positive weekend, I’m happy about taking the win in Race 2. It’s an amazing feeling and the team deserves it too as they did an amazing job during the summer break. We are here to fight for the win, and that’s the positive thing.”
Pin wasn’t the only driver to contribute to PREMA Racing’s resurgence this weekend in Zandvoort. Her teammate Maya Weug scored back-to-back podiums on Sunday. Returning after scoring no points in Spain, the Ferrari Driver Academy Member secured third place in Race 1 and a 1-2 finish for PREMA in Race 2.
Weug’s last trip to the podium was in F1 Academy’s first race weekend in Jeddah. After the races in Zandvoort, Weug said:
“A positive bounce back after Barcelona, happy with the two podiums.”
“Qualifying compromised our starting positions a bit, but in the dry, our pace was really good. It’s very difficult to overtake around Zandvoort, especially with the dirty air, so I think we made the most out of it by managing to finish in P3 and P2.”
Tina Hausmann continued to score points this weekend, helping the team decrease Rodin Motorsport’s lead in the Team Standings. Hausmann spoke about her results, saying:
“Qualifying was very good in the beginning, but the final stages were not perfect.”
“Still, we did a good job in the races, finishing both of them in the points, which was the goal. We look forward to getting even more points in Singapore.”
This weekend PREMA was also running a fourth car for Wildcard Entry Nina Gademan. She scored points on debut in both races. Although it was only her first F1 Academy race, Gademan finished fourth in Race 1. After her standout debut, she had this to say:
“In Race 1, I went up to P4 quite quickly and the gap between me and the car in front stayed around the same. That means the pace was getting much better than in FP2.”
“Two good races, and a good weekend.”
F1 Academy will be back next month in Singapore for the fifth round of the season. Meanwhile, PREMA Racing will be closing their F3 season this weekend in Monza.
PREMA Racing is heading into the 2024 series finale with the Team Championship already secured. They have won five F3 Team Championships in the last six seasons, and all three of their current drivers are in contention for the Drivers Championship this weekend.
Ahead of this weekend in Monza, Team Principal René Rosin spoke about the team’s success in F3, stating:
“The FIA Formula 3 Championship encompasses all the values that made the history of the category in its previous generations. Particularly, the emphasis on driver growth and team effort.”
“Those elements are our very core and that’s why we are so proud of our results and achievements as a team in the last six years.”
“But as we never stop pushing, we are already focusing on the next challenge which will be to see another of our drivers win the Driver Championship on our home track at Monza.”
Gabriele Minì, Arvid Lindblad, and Dino Beganovic all sit in the top five of the Driver Standings. Italian driver Gabriele Minì is currently one point away from Championship Leader Leonardo Fornaroli, making him PREMA Racing’s closest contender.
Any of these drivers could win another F3 Driver Championship for PREMA Racing at the finale in Monza, adding to their impressive tally of 12 Driver Championship Titles in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
Featured Image credit: PREMA Racing
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.