Alpine announces contract extension for Nina Gademan ahead of 2026 F1 Academy season

The Alpine Formula 1 team has announced that it will continue to back Nina Gademan in the 2026 F1 Academy season as she joins MP Motorsport after previously driving for Prema Racing.

The Dutch driver finished the 2025 season of the all-female racing series sixth in the standings and secured her maiden F1 Academy win in front of her home crowd in the first race at Zandvoort. In addition to her victory, she also clinched three podiums with two third-place finishes in Montreal and a second-place finish at the season finale in Las Vegas.

“I’m really happy to be part of the MP Motorsport family for next year,” she said. “They have been strong performers in F1 Academy from the start, and it’s always an advantage to race with your home team.

“With the experience and circuit knowledge that I gained this year, I feel that I am ready to challenge for more wins and the title in 2026. The team and I aim to use the winter ahead to fully prepare ourselves for the season kick-off at Shanghai in March, when I hope you will see me fighting right at the front.”

MP Motorsport team principal Sander Dorsman added: “We’re all excited to welcome Nina into the MP Motorsport fold for our 2026 F1 Academy line-up. She has been an incredible force in F1 Academy from the first moment she stepped into that wildcard seat, and proved to be one of our strongest rivals in last year's series.

"I’m happy that she’s on our side from now! For us as a Dutch team, it always makes sense to sign a Dutch driver, but in this case we are exceptionally pleased to team up with Nina. I’m confident that she will be fighting for more wins this year in what promises to be another strong F1 Academy season for us.”

The 2026 F1 Academy season will begin in Shanghai, China, on 13-15 March.