How A Formula One Alpine Academy Driver Won Her Home Race
Alpine’s Formula 1 Academy driver, Nina Gademan, took her first victory in the academy at her home race in Zandvoort. This Dutch Grand Prix has taken its sweet time to get here, with the summer break almost dragging on. Fans, and possibly just the media admin, were all ready for racing to begin again. For Gademan, the break seemed to pay off. The 22-year-old driver placed first, with Maya Weug, who drives for the Ferrari Academy, in second, and Lia Block, who drives for the Williams Academy, in third. Gademan had a truly fantastic start, speeding in her Alpine from the second-placed Tina Hausmann, who drives for the Aston Martin Formula 1 Academy.
An early gap between Hausmann and Block established an easy in for the rest of the drivers, especially helping the birthday girl winner. Gademan not only earned her first victory with the Alpine Academy, but she also earned her first win on her 22nd birthday. If that is not a dream come true for any driver, of any level, what is? However, this race was not a walk in the park. Battles were fought, including one with Chloe Chambers, who drives for Red Bull Ford, and Doriane Pin, who drives for Mercedes. Chambers was forced wide, which forced her to drop multiple places during the opening lap. The American driver was not the happiest as she explained the circumstance, but took it like a true champ.
Another incident occurred as Gademan was flying for Hausmann, who made her way into a barrier, which brought out a Safety Car until the debris was cleared off the track. Gademan safely controlled her restart and kept the lead, but of course, racing is never black and white. While the restart began, Ella Lloyd, in her McLaren and Weug, gained another position, not so graciously given by the Welsh driver. Another position was earned, and a challenge for second was in place. Lloyd did not succeed, but she did cross the checkered flag in fourth place. Gademan flew. She was not giving up her first-place win on her birthday easily to Block. With such a huge achievement, could it mean more for her in the 2026 season? A huge congratulations to the birthday girl on her first win at her home race!
