Shanghai, 23 March 2025 – The opening round of the 2025 F1 Academy season concluded with an exciting Race 2 at the Shanghai International Circuit. Doriane Pin claimed victory, her first of the year after overtaking at Turn 1, where she overtook former teammate Maya Weug. Second place fell to MP Motorsport driver Chloe Chambers, and Campos Racing’s Chloe Chambers claimed the podium.
A Good Start Makes a Difference
The race began in challenging conditions, with the track temperature at more than 36°C and dust making it an extra level of challenge. Due to the oil on track, the drivers had to make an extra formation lap behind the Safety Car before the rolling start. Weug initially attempted to maintain her pole position, but Pin made a good pass into Turn 1, taking the lead. Although there was a minor touch between the two, Weug was unable to reclaim her position and had to settle into P2.
Meanwhile, rookie Alba Hurup Larsen, who started from P3, was managing to keep up with the leaders early on, and Chambers, who started fourth, was very much in the mix. But early chaos broke out further down the field when PREMA Racing teammates Tina Hausmann and Nina Gademan collided, despite being admonished beforehand to take no risks unnecessarily. Both cars returned to the track after pit stops, but Hausmann was later penalized 10 seconds for causing the incident.
Safety Car Stoppages and Midfield Battles
The race remained dramatic when Joanne Ciconte, Chloe Chong, Nicole Havrda, and Aurelia Nobels crashed into each other, with the latter three being forced to retire. The Safety Car was deployed to clear the stranded cars, and on the restart, Pin placed the pace to perfection, passing just before the hairpin. Weug, however, stuck to her strategy and stayed in reach. Nicole Havrda.
Later in the order, Ferreira made a concerted effort to break into the top 10, while Block fought her way into the final points-paying position. Chambers struggled with Larsen for third place later in the race. Chambers lost the position briefly due to a lock-up but regained it later in the laps.
A Commanding Victory for Pin
As the final laps were unfolded, Pin created a margin over Weug of nearly two seconds, showing great control and tyre management. A late duel between Felbermayr and Palmowski for P5 included light contact, but Felbermayr held fifth position. Under the flag, Pin claimed the first position, claiming a crucial early-season victory.
Weug’s P2 finish supported her title aspirations, while Chambers’ podium cemented her position as a true title challenger. Top rookie Larsen put in a strong P4, rounding out a weekend of solid performance.
F1 Academy Chinese GP Race 2
- Doriane Pin (PREMA Racing)
- Maya Weug (MP Motorsport)
- Chloe Chambers (Campos Racing)
- Alba Hurup Larsen (MP Motorsport)
- Emma Felbermayr (Rodin Motorsport)
- Alisha Palmowski (ART Grand Prix)
- Ella Lloyd (Rodin Motorsport)
- Rafaela Ferreira (Campos Racing)
- Lia Block (ART Grand Prix)
- Nina Gademan (PREMA Racing)
- Chloe Chong (Rodin Motorsport)
- Courtney Crone (ART Grand Prix)
- Aiva Anagnostiadis (Hitech TGR)
- Shi Wei (Wild Card Entry)
- Tina Hausmann (PREMA Racing)
DNF: Joanne Ciconte, Nicole Havrda, Aurelia Nobels
With Pin and Weug already racing at the front, and Chambers showing good speed, the 2025 F1 Academy season is going to be a thrilling fight. The next race will determine whether Pin can build on this victory or whether Weug and Chambers will strike back.