Press release - 23 March 2025 19:13

Strong Season Start for Alba: Best Rookie in F1 Academy

The 16-year-old Dane finished just off the podium, claiming best rookie title in the first round of the F1 Academy, held in conjunction with the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Beyond all expectations! That’s the fastest way to sum up Alba Hurup Larsen’s debut weekend in the F1 Academy at the Shanghai International Circuit. The 16-year-old racing driver, supported by fashion giant Tommy Hilfiger, crossed the finish line in an impressive fourth place in both of the weekend’s races. And although a time penalty in Saturday’s race dropped Alba to seventh, the Dane still ended the weekend as the best-placed rookie and now sits fifth overall in the fiercely competitive championship for female drivers.

– It’s a fantastic start to the season and one that has definitely exceeded our expectations. I want to give a huge thanks to the entire team at MP Racing for giving me a strong car this weekend, and to Tommy Hilfiger, who made it possible for me to compete and prove myself in F1 Academy. It’s been an overwhelming weekend in Shanghai, where both the team and the many, many fans gave us a warm welcome, says Alba Hurup Larsen.

Alba Hurup Larsen got off to a strong start already on Friday by securing the third-fastest time in qualifying, which meant starting sixth in Saturday’s first race, due to the reverse-grid format for the top eight qualifiers. The Dane fought her way up through the field and finished just off the podium but later received a time penalty and was demoted three positions after a close encounter with a competitor shortly before the finish.

In the weekend’s second and most important race – where more than double points are awarded to the fastest drivers – Alba started from third position, right behind older and more experienced racers. On pole was 20-year-old Spanish-Belgian-Dutch Ferrari Academy driver Maya Weug, while 21-year-old French driver Doriane Pin, a Ferrari Challenge champion with experience in both GT and LMP2 in the World Endurance Championship, started second.

A cool Alba maintained her third place all the way to lap nine of the 11-lap race, when she was overtaken by 20-year-old American and former F1 Academy race winner Chloe Chambers.

– It was a great race! It’s a shame to lose a potential podium right there, but it doesn’t take away from our excitement about the weekend. I’m up against tough competitors with years of experience in race cars, and the big results will come. I’m very satisfied and looking forward to getting back in the car, says Alba Hurup Larsen.