F1 Academy | Miami GP | Qualifying | Chambers takes pole in wet session - Motorsport

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The F1 Academy is back on track for the third time this season for Qualifying in the Miami GP. The Qualifying session is underway under the pouring rain of the Miami GP with its 19 female drivers, including the usual local wild card driver. On these 19 corners of the Miami International Autodrome – unknown to rookies – returning drivers hold a strong edge over their competitors.

Fierce contest at the top

There is a close competition in the F1 Academy driver standings, following Maya Weug’s victory in the second race of the Jeddah Round 2. French driver Doriane Pin remains a strong contender for the title, a mere 7 points short of her rival. Weug and Pin continued to battle in this round’s practice sessions. While Pin topped the timesheets in the first practice session of the Miami Round 3, Weug followed close in third position. The Dutch driver then secured P1 in the second practice session of the weekend, with Pin standing only in seventh. Completing the grid as the 19th driver, Ava Dobson is a new addition for this F1 Academy Round 3, running in front of her home crowd in a Hitech TGR machine as the third Wild Card of the season. Regardless of her qualifying pace, the American driver will suffer a three place grid penalty, held responsible for a collision with Lia Block.

Overnight rain left additional dirt on the track, posing extra challenges for the younger drivers and promising significant track evolution throughout the session. Rain once again loomed over Qualifying – and soon began to fall heavily.

Green flag for F1 Academy Qualifying at the Miami International Autodrome

Taking to the track for Qualifying, Chambers led the field out benefitting from clean air yet still struggling for grip. She set a lucky early benchmark on slick tyres followed by Palmowski setting the second best.

In the opening few minutes of the session, all drivers attempted to set a first lap before rain hit the track. Chambers, Palmowski and Pin formed the top three.

French driver Doriane Pin was ordered to push immediately by the PREMA Racing team as rain was looming in. While stuck in traffic, Pin had to work hard at her crucial first push lap under pressure from the weather. Though a good tow might have improved her pace, the cars blocking her way hindered her progression.

Block, along a couple other machines, went off the track shortly after the beginning of the session, briefly bringing out the yellow flag, on the wet track. No driver fortunately sustained damage.

Ferrari-backed Maya Weug, the current championship leader, was down in 10th at the beginning of the session – not reaping the benefits of the reverse grid start at that moment.

Lia Block, in front of her home crowd, stood fifth fastest in the early parts of the session.

A wet session

While switching to wet tyres could not improve lap times in the rain, some pilots still took the plunge to gain a better feel for their performance in the changing conditions. Consequently, drivers had to focus on maintaining tyre temperature in those challenging elements. Moreover, the wet conditions prevented any pilot from beating their initial fast times, which had been set on slick tyres. Around a street circuit like Miami, grip in wet conditions is further reduced compared to regular circuits, adding another layer of difficulty

As the rain intensified, all teams pit their pilots to change their slick tyres to wet ones. The end of the session is looking like it might dry off.

A lineup defined by the damp weather

Driving in the wet, Nobels went for a fast lap, and was unable to improve with the rain undeniably slowing her down.

Additional quick laps could not be set, especially with the second sector being wet. Drivers could therefore not improve on overall pace.

F1 Academy driver Weug pushed with only 13 minutes remaining in the session. Unable to improve on her initial time, she remained in 10th place with a 2:16:4. Having set her pace earlier on, Haussman just missed out on the top 8 reverse.

Conclusion of the Qualifying session

With just 10 minutes remaining in the session, many drivers had only set an initial time, and some pushed the limits in a final bid for the crucial pole position as the track slowly dried out.

Seemingly comfortable in the elements, Lia Block showed strong pace in the wet compared to other rivers setting a 2:14. Haussman and Gademan competed with her in this weather with a respective 2:12.9 and 2.13.0.

Nobels was one of the few drivers still out on track with 6 minutes left, aiming for a top qualifying to score her first points of the season. The ART Grand Prix driver optimized learning on this new track and challenging conditions. Nobels locked up, though she eventually managed to remain on track.

Dobson stood in 15th position, remarkably better than usual wild card drivers that often are at the back of the grid. Unfortunately, the American still has to carry a 3-place grid penalty forward.

Some drivers opted to not go out at all on the wets during the session, such as teammate Chambers and Palowski, remaining comfortably in the pitlane after surely securing the two top positions for Campos Racing.

As the chequered flag fell, Chambers – who set the initial and overall fastest – remained on pole and will be starting on pole Sunday. Back to Back position for her. She was followed by Palowski, Pin, Lloyd and Block completing the top five.