Alpine-backed MP Motorsport driver Nina Gademan was left disappointed with a P8 result in Qualifying but remains optimistic about making the most of her reverse-grid pole for Race 1 at the 2026 F1 Academy Chinese GP. The Dutch driver arrives in Shanghai with a season of experience under her belt, having finished 6th in last year’s Drivers’ Standings with 74 points.
After finishing 10th in Free Practice, Gademan felt pleased with the lap she put together in Qualifying. However, she could not look past the missed opportunity to improve, believing she and MP Motorsport had the pace to fight for a place in the top four.
Gademan said: “The first run was all right, P4, not too bad and I was on a really good lap on for the top four again on the second run. Then I got impeded on my best lap.”
“There’s not much more to say. I think we were up there for the top four, which is a big improvement in my Qualifying performance compared to last year. Even now, I qualified P8 whole fighting with another car.
While she finished Qualifying unsatisfied, Gademan noted that she has still made progress compared to last year. Impeded on her final run and disappointed to not get another attempt, she knows there are still valuable points on offer in Race 1. Starting from the front-row, the Dutch driver knows it is all to play for.
“I’m not happy about this result, I’m happy about my Qualifying performance going up. I’m trying to look at it from the bright side, I’m starting from pole tomorrow. I wish I would have started in the top four for the second race to get big points and fight for a podium, but it is what it is.”
In search of redemption in Shanghai
Gademan has started on the front row in Shanghai before, having done so last year as well. She led most of the race and looked set to claim her first win, but a technical issue on the final lap denied her the opportunity. However, the MP Motorsport driver arrives with renewed determination and has her sights firmly set on taking that victory.
“I don’t want to jinx it!”, Gademan said.
Having won a race in F1 Academy, Gademan knows what it takes to succeed but remains wary of her strong competitors starting around her.
“I would just do the same. Last year, I had pressure from [Alisha] Palmowski but we had our good set of tyres on. I remember I wasn’t pushing that much because the gap was safe. I didn’t have to push to defend my position and I was saving tyres that I used the next day.
“Then it just broke down. It was just a very easy, controlled race and I want to have that again. I know I’ve got Natalia [Granada] behind me and Lisa [Billard]. I know in races, I am always a lot stronger than in Qualifying anyway, so I’m not too worried about it.”
