Jeddah GP Race 1 became the first F1 Academy victory for McLaren driver, Ella Lloyd, and Maya Weug took for the first time the leadership of the F1 Academy championship after Race 2. Let’s see how F1 Academy’s Jeddah GP went and its results.

Race 1: Lloyd Secures Her First Win

Felbermayr started from reverse grid pole, but it was Ella Lloyd who launched best, seizing the early lead. At the same time, Palmowski surged from fifth to second, Weug moved up to third, and Doriane Pin found herself locked in a fierce battle with Tina Hausmann.

After her Free Practice crash, Lia Block was hit by Crone during the race, causing a spin but she rejoined. Chong ended picking up damage while trying to avoid the incident. This caused a Safety Car out, and in the restart, Lloyd managed to build a 0.8s gap over Palmowski.

On Lap 10, Farah AlYousef – the Wild Card driver – received a five-second penalty for a false start, Crone a 10-second penalty for causing a collision. The Haas driver became the race’s second DNF after pulling into the pits. On Lap 12, Weug snatched second from Palmowski.

On the final lap, Lloyd came under pressure as Weug closed to within half a second. Despite the challenge, the McLaren driver held firm to win by just one-tenth. Behind them, Palmowski kept Pin behind to secure the final podium spot.

This is Ella Lloyd’s maiden victory in F1 Academy with McLaren. Lloyd commented: “I’m feeling pretty good. My plan was to lead into Turn 1 and that’s what I’ve done, pretty happy with myself for that. Then just be consistent and I think my race was pretty consistent.”

Race 2: Weug Wins After Penalty Twist

The first-time polesitter, Chloe Chambers, has a great launch, while Pin lost her position to Weug. Oddly, Ella Lloyd stalled at lights out. The Ferrari driver engaged in an intense battle with Chambers, and despite an off-track moment during an overtaking attempt, Weug claimed the lead on Lap 3.

Weug ran wide after hitting the kerb, dropping to third and Chambers reclaiming the lead, but quickly regained second with a bold move on Lap 4. Chambers was creating a gap, but suddenly she was handed a five-second time penalty for forcing Weug off the track at Turn 22. Also, Rafaela Ferreira received a 10-second penalty for spinning Felbermayr on Lap 2 and falling to P17.

Chambers had to build a gap to minimize the impact of her penalty, ultimately dropping to P2 by less than a tenth ahead of Pin. Weug was promoted to the win, becoming the new championship leader and securing MP Motorsport’s first victory since Austin 2023. Ferreira’s penalty got her out of the points, promoting Ella Lloyd to P8 after an outstanding recovery.

“Last year (the win) was in the last race, so it feels good to have it already on the second weekend of the season. The car was feeling great all weekend, just some small mistakes”, Weug said after her Race 2 victory and new championship leadership.