Sebastian Wheldon claimed his first FREC victory in Race 1 at Zandvoort after converting pole position into a landmark win for MP Motorsport on home soil. The American had already shown impressive speed in Practice and Qualifying, and he carried that form into the race despite coming under pressure in the closing stages.
Salim Hanna chased him hard for PREMA Racing and kept the fight alive until the final lap, while Emanuele Olivieri completed the podium for R-ace GP and also secured rookie honours. Together, the trio produced a competitive Race 1 that rewarded strong qualifying pace, race management and late-race consistency.
The result gave each member of the podium a clear reason to take confidence from the race. However, all three drivers also identified areas to improve as the weekend continued, with race pace, starts and overall execution all emerging as key themes after the chequered flag.
Wheldon praises MP Motorsport after first FREC win in Race 1 at Zandvoort
Wheldon arrived at Zandvoort with strong pace and underlined that speed in Qualifying. He secured pole position and then converted it into victory, giving MP Motorsport a particularly meaningful result at its home track. Although he controlled the decisive moments, he admitted that Hanna’s pressure exposed areas that still need work.
“We knew we were quick, especially with the pace we had in practice and the speed we showed in Qualifying. We were able to secure pole position. But, honestly, I think we struggled a little bit in the race. Salim was catching me quite a lot, so we need to work on improving our race pace.
“I can’t thank MP enough for the car they’ve given me. It’s really special because this is their home track, and for me to win here is something very special. It’s my first win in the championship, and I’m sure it’s just as special for them as it is for me.”
The victory marked an important step for Wheldon, who turned single-lap pace into a race-winning result. Moreover, it gave MP Motorsport a standout moment in front of its home crowd. His comments also showed a measured approach, as he balanced the emotion of a first championship win with a clear understanding that the team must keep developing.
As a result, Wheldon left Race 1 with both satisfaction and direction. He delivered under pressure, but he also recognised that stronger race pace will be essential if he wants to keep fighting at the front across the rest of the championship.
Hanna highlights PREMA progress after close battle
Hanna finished second after a determined recovery and a strong late push. The PREMA Racing driver praised the team’s work across the weekend, especially after a difficult start in practice. Although he felt the race could have produced more, he still took encouragement from the pace he showed once he settled into rhythm.
“First of all, I want to thank the team for all the progress we’ve made throughout the weekend. In Practice we were quite far off the pace, but we’ve improved session after session and we’re continuing to move in the right direction.
“It was a really fun race. Of course, it could have gone a bit better, but the start wasn’t ideal for me. After that, I knew I had the pace to catch my teammate. Following the Safety Car restart, I managed to get past him straight away and then focused on preparing for the final laps. On the last lap, we had both run out of Race Mode, which made overtaking a bit more difficult. It was a very close battle and a really enjoyable race. There are still some areas where we need to improve our pace, but we’re making steady progress and we just need to keep moving forward.”
Hanna’s comments underlined PREMA’s steady improvement across the weekend. Although his start and the loss of Race Mode limited his final attack, his late pace showed the team had made clear progress.
Olivieri takes Rookie honours with charging podium drive
Olivieri also left Race 1 encouraged after turning fifth on the grid into third overall and the rookie win. The R-ace GP driver enjoyed the wheel-to-wheel racing and pointed to the team’s strong work after a challenging Free Practice. His podium came after a race full of battles, yet he felt the racing remained fair and enjoyable.
“Honestly, it was a really fun race. I started from P5 and had some great battles throughout the race. At times it was very close, but the wheel-to-wheel racing was really enjoyable and fair. Considering where we were in Free Practice, it was a very positive result.
“The team and I did a great job. We worked really hard throughout the weekend and our race pace was very strong. I think we also set the fastest lap of the race. I could see the drivers ahead and I was gradually catching them, although they were still quite far in front.
“Overall, this result shows what the team and I are capable of when everything comes together. It proves that we can do a very good job and continue fighting at the front.”
His podium confirmed R-ace GP’s race strength and gave Olivieri an important result early in the campaign. Furthermore, his reference to the team’s improvement after Free Practice showed how quickly they adapted across the weekend. That response helped him move forward in the race and remain in touch with the leading group.
Olivieri’s result also carried extra significance because it combined an overall podium with rookie honours. Therefore, he left Zandvoort with proof that he can compete strongly in close fights while also managing the race well enough to bring home a major result.
Podium trio looks ahead to 2026 FREC Zandvoort Race 2
Wheldon, Hanna and Olivieri all left Race 1 with momentum, but their focus quickly shifted towards Sunday’s Qualifying 2 and Race 2. Wheldon had a first championship win and MP Motorsport’s home success to build on, although he also knew the team needed to improve its race pace.
Meanwhile, Hanna could take confidence from PREMA’s progress and his late pressure on the leader. Olivieri also had reason to feel encouraged after converting strong race pace into an overall podium and rookie victory.
Together, their reactions showed how close the fight at the front had become. Therefore, Sunday offers another important chance for Wheldon to prove his pace, Hanna to turn progress into victory, and Olivieri to continue pushing R-ace GP into podium contention.
