F1 Academy Preview: Zandvoort
- Meghana Sree
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
After the long summer break, F1 Academy is officially back in action for its fourth stop of the 2026 season. Taking to the sand dunes of Zandvoort for a fourth consecutive year, the most of any other circuit on the F1 Academy calendar in the series’ history, drivers will be eager to resume the season at a familiar venue.
The season so far has been full of surprises and thrilling on-track battles, with Alisha Palmowski coming out on top no matter the obstacles to take the lead of the Drivers’ championship.
With three victories so far, including a home win last time out in Silverstone, Palmowski is currently on 108 points in the lead, 30 points ahead of nearest challenger Emma Felbermayr. The Red Bull driver already had a strong showing in Zandvoort last year in her rookie season, nearly clinching pole for the main race and taking a podium in the Feature Race.
Can anyone catch up to Palmowski this weekend, or will the Briton firmly place one hand on the championship trophy come Sunday, with only two more rounds to go?
Here’s everything you need to know about the Dutch weekend from championship storylines and top stories to session timings and more.
Key Stories
Following an exciting round in Silverstone where F1 Academy raced at the historic venue for the first time, the paddock headed over to Zandvoort for their in-season testing on 16th and 17th July, giving the entire grid a chance to get themselves acquainted with the twists and turns of Circuit Zandvoort.
Palmowski was absolutely dominant across both days, making a strong statement of intent for her championship campaign. With no other driver able to find an answer to the Briton’s blistering pace at the venue, Palmowski will be eager to carry this momentum into the race weekend.
Speaking after the test, Palmowski shared: “It’s been a really positive two days here at Zandvoort. Firstly, it’s great to be back at the track.
“It’s a track that I love, old school. It’s a bit like Silverstone, similar vibes, there’s no margin for error. There are grass, gravel and walls, so it’s very like the UK circuit, so I really enjoy driving here.”
Expect the Red Bull driver to sweep the timing sheets across this weekend too.
Other drivers to keep an eye on this weekend include home favourite and last year’s winner of Race 1 here, Nina Gademan, as well as Felbermayr and Alba Larsen who both had positive runs around this circuit during in-season testing.
In other news, this round’s Wild Card Driver has been revealed as 17-year-old Zoe Florescu, supported by the the world’s largest laundry brand Dirt is Good, the company also becoming F1 Academy’s first-ever Official Laundry Detergent Partner.
Florescu previously participated in F1 Academy’s Rookie Test in Navarra, the Romanian-American driver setting the eighth fastest time in the morning session and the 10th fastest in the afternoon.
Currently competing in the F4 Spanish Championship, Florescu will make her official F1 Academy debut this weekend in the Hitech-operated car.
Track Preview
Zandvoort has been a staple on the F1 Academy calendar since its inaugural season, making this venue akin to a homecoming for most in the paddock. After an intensive in-season testing period last month, drivers will be more than familiar with Zandvoort’s sweeping layout when the action kicks off on Friday.
The circuit is the shortest on the F1 Academy calendar, making a lap around Zandvoort tight, quick, and twisty. Famous for the cambered first turn known as Tarzan corner, the circuit is a delight to watch racing action at.
With just 14 corners and 4.259km in length, a lap around Zandvoort is nothing short of thrilling, posing a unique challenge for drivers.
Session Timings (in BST)
Free Practice 1: Friday, 13:00
Qualifying: Friday, 08:20
Race 1: Saturday, 13:35
Race 2: Sunday, 09:30
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