Gademan Claims Austin Victory to Surge into Second in Standings

Nina Gademan delivered a commanding performance in the F1 ACADEMY Feature Race in Austin, converting a third-place start into a decisive victory. The win catapults the Alpine driver into second place in the drivers' standings with only two rounds remaining in the 2026 campaign.

Why it matters:

This result transforms the championship narrative as the season nears its conclusion. By seizing the lead early and managing the race with precision, Gademan has established herself as a primary challenger for the title, putting immense pressure on the field heading into the final events.

The Details:

• Aggressive Start: Gademan took control of the race at the first corner, executing a bold move around the outside of Turn 1 to overtake both Payton Westcott and the 2026 champion, Alisha Palmowski.
• Race Management: After establishing clean air, Gademan maintained a gap to the field and executed a flawless Safety Car restart to secure the win.
• Key Attrition: A collision between Palmowski and Alba Larsen forced both drivers out of the race while running in second and third, significantly altering the podium outcome.
• Podium Results: American driver Payton Westcott capitalized on the incident to take P2 on home soil, while Natalia Granada rounded out the top three with her first podium since Shanghai.
• Mid-field Battle: Jade Jacquet secured her best finish of the season in fourth, successfully defending her position against Audi's Emma Felbermayr.

What's next:

The F1 ACADEMY season moves to the bright lights of Las Vegas for Round 6, scheduled from November 19-21. With the standings tightened, the focus shifts to whether Gademan can maintain this momentum to challenge for the championship in the season finale.