F1 Academy: Nina Gademan claims first win after being declared unfit to drive

22-year-old Dutch driver Nina Gademan claimed her first F1 Academy victory in front of her home crowd at Zandvoort after initially being declared unfit to drive.

Gademan made her F1 Academy debut as a wild card entry at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, and later signed with Prema Racing for the 2025 season, backed by the Alpine Formula 1 team. On her 22nd birthday, and a year on from her debut, she celebrated her first win. She had initially been declared unfit to drive in the qualifying session on Saturday morning by the chief medical officer; however, she passed further checks and went on to secure pole position for the reverse grid race.

"Oh my God, mate, how did we go from being declared unfit to this?" Gademan exclaimed over the team radio. "We did such a big thing! Thank you so much!"

Joining Gademan on the front row was Aston Martin-backed driver Tina Hausmann, while Williams Academy driver Lia Block followed in third. The Dutch driver retained her lead at the start and successfully defended the position into Turn 1. Block also had a strong start, claiming second position from Hausmann, who retired from the race on the second lap after she ran wide at Turn 8 and crashed into the wall.

Gademan held on to the lead once again at the safety car restart, fending off the American driver, Block.

Mercedes-backed Doriane Pin and Ferrari-backed Maya Weug are currently fighting it out at the top of the drivers' championship standings. Weug, who secured pole position for Race 2, which will take place on Sunday, 31 August, finished third in Race 1, with Pin crossing the line in sixth.

F1 Academy Round 5 at Zandvoort: Race 1 top 10

1. Nina Gademan, Alpine operated by PREMA
2. Lia Block, Williams operated by ART GP
3. Maya Weug, Ferrari operated by MP
4. Ella Lloyd, McLaren operated by RODIN
5. Chloe Chambers, Red Bull Ford operated by CAMPOS
6. Doriane Pin, Mercedes operated by PREMA
7. Alisha Palmowski, Red Bull Racing operated by CAMPOS
8. Emma Felbermayr, Sauber operated by RODIN
9. Aurelia Nobels, Puma operated by ART GP
10. Nicole Havrda, American Express operated by HITECH