Shanghai Race 2: Doriane Pin overtakes Maya Weug, wins Race 2 in China

SHANGHAI — Mercedes and Iron Dames-backed PREMA Racing driver Doriane Pin won Race 2 at the Shanghai International Circuit after overtaking polesitter Maya Weug on the first lap of the 11-lap event ahead of Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday.

After picking up a fourth-place finish on Saturday in Race 1, Pin earned her first victory of the 2025 F1 Academy season in what could potentially be a championship-winning season. In 2024, Pin finished runner-up in the championship to Abbi Pulling.

“Really happy to win today, we scored good points,” Pin told Kiki Kung. “We had a really good start. I knew it was the most important part of the race to try to to be in front from the start … I am aiming for the title this year, I only have this goal in mind so I will keep working as much as possible with my team to achieve that at the end of the year.”

Chloe Chambers took the final spot on the podium after successfully overtaking Alba Larsen. On Saturday, Chambers finished second.

Before Lights Out

This race returned to its normal qualifying order after a reverse grid in Race 1. Maya Weug was the fastest in qualifying, starting first with Doriane Pin and Alba Larsen starting second and third, respectively. With this race starting in regular qualifying order, full points were on the line.

Alisha Palmowski won Race 1, which was her first career win in F1 Academy. Chloe Chambers brought the fight for first to the checkered flag with Weug rounding out the podium. Nina Gademan led the pack for most of the race but experienced technical issues, leaving her in 15th place.

After Lights Out

The race started with a rolling start due to oil on the start/finish straight. Due to this, there were three formation laps to get any excess oil off the track. Maya Weug started Race 2 from the front of the grid as Doriane Pin gained on Weug, starting a battle for first place.

Pin went around the outside, and there was contact with Weug’s front wing and Pin’s rear tire. Pin won that battle, becoming the new race leader. Tina Hausmann made contact with Nina Gademan and Joanne Ciconte was involved.

Ciconte, Nicole Havrda and Aurelia Nobels were unable to move away from the contact made by Chloe Chong into the back of Ciconte.

Havrda, Nobels and Ciconte were the only three drivers to retire from the race.

The Safety Car ended on Lap 4 with Pin restarting the race out front. Lia Block tried to make a move on the outside of Rafaela Ferreira but was unsuccessful. Ella Lloyd tried to get past Emma Felbermayr, but it was also unsuccessful.

Gademan was able to move from 15th to 13th by carefully overtaking Shi Wei and Hausmann. Chong and Hausmann each received 10-second time penalties for two incidents on Lap 1.

Chloe Chambers made a late move on Alba Larsen, however, she was able to keep fourth place. Gademan made a move on Block as the Williams Racing-backed driver was trying to catch Courtney Crone in 10th place.

Block went around the outside of Crone after the Haas F1-supported driver was under pressure from Gademan.

Chambers overtook Larsen briefly, but Larsen was able to keep third place. With this battle for the podium in full force, Chambers tried again to on gain Larsen and was successful. Behind them, Felbermayr took fifth place on the start/finish straight from Race 1 winner Alisha Palmowski.

A battle for eighth place ensued on the last lap between Chong, Ferreira and Block. Ferriera tried to go on the outside but Chong was able to defend. However, with a 10-second time penalty, Chong landed in 11th place.

Ultimately, Pin claimed the second and final race of the weekend in China Race 2. She also earned the fastest lap with championship rival Weug finishing second and Chambers rounding out the podium.

F1 Academy returns to action on April 19-20 in Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Race 2 Results

1. Doriane Pin
2. Maya Weug
3. Chloe Chambers
4. Alba Larsen
5. Emma Felbermayr
6. Alisha Palmowski
7. Ella Lloyd
8. Rafaela Ferreira
9. Lia Block
10. Nina Gademan
11. Chloe Chong
12. Courtney Crone
13. Aiva Anagnostiadis
14. Shi Wei
15. Tina Hausmann
16. Joanne Ciconte
17. Nicole Havrda
18. Aurelia Nobels