Nicole battles back in Zandvoort

After a two-month summer hiatus, the F1 Academy roared back into action at the historic Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands – and Canadian rising star Nicole Havrda made sure she left her mark.

Qualifying
Nicole’s weekend got off to a challenging start. Although she initially qualified 14th, a penalty from Friday’s practice session – for passing under red flag conditions – saw her relegated to the back of the grid. With two competitors failing to set times, Nicole ultimately started 16th out of 18 cars, setting the stage for an uphill battle.

Race 1
Undeterred, Nicole delivered a standout performance in Race 1. A lightning start saw her gain a position by the opening corner. From there, the 19-year-old showcased maturity and calculated agression. Picking her way through the pack, she entered a thrilling final-lap duel with Aurelia Nobels. Nicole crossed the line with a well-earned 10th place – a top-ten finish that highlighted her determination and skill.

Race 2
Sunday’s second race of the weekend started with similar promise. Nicole once again launched off the line with intent, making up positions in the early corners. However, going into Turn 1 at the start of Lap 2, a rare mistake saw her spin and drop to the back of the field. Though undamaged, the setback effectively ended any hopes of a repeat top-ten finish. Showing grit, she stayed in the race and brought the car home in 16th – salvaging valuable experience from a tough outing.

While the Zandvoort weekend offered a mixed bag of results, the weekend was a clear display of Nicole’s potential. She showed pace and mental toughness as she continues to build on her debut F1 Academy season.

The road ahead remains a busy one. Before her return to the F1 Academy in Singapore in a month’s time, Nicole heads to Brno, Czech Republic for the final round of the Formula 4 CEZ Championship – her third consecutive race weekend.