F1 ACADEMY Title Battle Heats Up: Zandvoort Set for Decisive Round 5 Showdown

The F1 ACADEMY season is roaring back to life after a summer break, with all eyes firmly fixed on Zandvoort for Round 5. As the only circuit to feature in all three seasons of the championship, Zandvoort offers a familiar yet fiercely competitive landscape where drivers recently completed testing, setting the stage for a weekend of high-stakes racing.

The championship fight is more intense than ever, with significant shifts in the Drivers' and Teams' standings.

Pin Leads the Charge, Chambers and Weug Close Behind

Doriane Pin has re-established herself at the pinnacle of the Drivers' standings, following her third win of the campaign in Montreal. She now commands a crucial 20-point lead over her nearest competitor, Chloe Chambers.

Chambers, despite a racing incident with teammate Alisha Palmowski in Canada, showcased her resilience by securing her inaugural victory of the year in Race 3. Meanwhile, Maya Weug faced a challenging Montreal weekend marred by technical issues, causing her to slip to third in the standings, now 37 points adrift of Pin. Pin's history at Zandvoort is particularly strong, having achieved a clean sweep last year, making her a formidable contender to extend her lead further as the season heads towards its climax in Singapore and Las Vegas.

Palmowski Aims for Zandvoort Redemption and PREMA's Dominance

Alisha Palmowski is determined to bounce back at Zandvoort after a difficult outing in Montreal, where incidents in both Race 1 and Race 3 cost her valuable podium opportunities. She has since conceded the top rookie spot to Ella Lloyd, who impressed with three consecutive P2 finishes. Currently fifth in the standings, Palmowski could find favorable conditions this weekend, as rain is forecasted – a scenario that often plays to her strengths. Her strong performance during recent testing at the circuit also hints at a potential strong showing.

In the Teams' Championship, PREMA Racing has orchestrated a remarkable comeback, establishing a commanding 27-point lead over Campos Racing. This resurgence follows a dominant display in Montreal, where Pin's win and third-place finish were bolstered by double podiums from Nina Gademan and a career-best F1 ACADEMY result for Tina Hausmann. Conversely, Campos Racing endured a challenging weekend in Canada, missing out on crucial points and allowing PREMA to pull ahead.

Rising Stars and Record-Breaking Aspirations

Alba Larsen of Tommy Hilfiger remains the highest-placed driver yet to secure a podium finish, currently holding sixth position. Her best result this season was a P4 in Shanghai, followed by a consistent run of top-five finishes. Larsen, along with Joanne Ciconte and Aiva Anagnostiadis, is also eligible to break the record for the youngest race winner, a title currently held by Bianca Bustamante. With her confirmed place in the Ferrari Driver Academy for 2026, Larsen is undoubtedly a talent to keep a close watch on.

The upcoming Zandvoort weekend is brimming with potential for thrilling battles, not only for the championship and podium spots but also for new records to be set. As the F1 ACADEMY season accelerates towards its conclusion, every point will count in the fight for glory.