Las Vegas Weekend – Chaotic, rain-soaked, and dramatic from start to finish

Race 1
Rain-soaked streets set the stage for a chaotic Race 1 in Las Vegas. Even before the lights went out, the wet conditions saw all drivers change to wet tires. Polesitter Nina Gademan required a front-wing change, while Canadian Nicole Havrda – already starting last due to a qualifying problem – opted to begin from the pit lane.

The chaos continued during the formation laps. Emma Felbermayr stopped with a clutch failure, and a collision between Maya Weug and Tina Hausmann at the rolling start caused further delays. When the race finally got underway on Lap 4, Alba Larsen briefly shone in the treacherous conditions, taking the lead with two daring overtakes before a brush with the wall ended her charge. Additional incidents -including Ella Lloyd’s crash and contact between Palmowski and Chambers – triggered multiple Safety Cars.

Amid all the chaos, Havrda produced one standout drives of the day. Starting from the pit lane, she navigated the hazards cleanly, capitalized on others’ mistakes, and fought her way into the top ten – crossing the line in an impressive P10. Sadly, a post-race penalty for failing to enter the pit lane after the formation lap added 30 seconds to her time, dropping her to P12 – a frustrating end to an otherwise remarkable drive.

Race 2
The F1 Academy season concluded dramatically on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, with Chloe Chambers taking a commanding victory in the season finale and Doriane Pin securing the championship.

While much of the spotlight was on the front-runners, the race was a challenging test for Nicole Havrda, who faced a tough start that set the tone for a gritty performance. Positioned uniquely on a hill at the start, Havrda struggled to manage her brake, throttle and clutch, causing her to move prematurely and incur a penalty before the lights went out. From that point, she was forced to fight her way through the pack, engaging in intense battles at the back of the field.

Havrda’s race was defined by her determination. She battled several competitors, including a particularly tight tussle with Chloe Chong, which ultimately cost her time and positions. Despite these setbacks, Havrda displayed resilience and commitment, demonstrating her fighting spirit in the highly competitive F1 Academy field. She ultimately finished in P16, a result that belied the grit and skill she exhibited throughout the race.