Ferrari junior Alba Larsen returns to F1 Academy competition at Zandvoort with an opportunity to revive her 2026 campaign. The Ferrari Driver Academy member is currently ninth in the standings with 24 points, but half of the season remains for her to recover positions and add to her total.
The Dutch round represents an important moment for the young driver after a more difficult start than expected. Larsen entered the year following an impressive debut season in the all-female championship, but her results so far have left her with ground to make up.
Alba Larsen’s route to the Ferrari Driver Academy
Alba Larsen officially joined the Ferrari Driver Academy on 1 January 2026 after a long association with the Maranello manufacturer. In 2024, she won the first edition of FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars, an initiative organised by the FIA in collaboration with Ferrari.
The following year, Larsen began competing in F1 Academy with MP Motorsport. She impressed during her debut campaign, finishing seventh in the championship with 70 points. Those performances encouraged Ferrari to place her under contract for the 2026 season.
Her second campaign has proved more challenging. Larsen currently occupies ninth place with only 24 points, although the number of races still available means she retains sufficient time to improve her position.
Alba Larsen returns to F1 Academy at Zandvoort
The championship resumes in the Netherlands as part of a 2026 F1 Academy season that includes Zandvoort. The Dutch circuit has become an established part of the series and provides Larsen with another opportunity to rediscover the form she demonstrated during her first year.
F1 Academy differs from other junior categories not only because it features an entirely female grid, but also because it follows its own race format. Formula 2 and Formula 3 commonly use a reverse-grid race alongside a Feature Race, whereas F1 Academy introduced a third contest during the 2026 season known as the Opening Race.
How the new F1 Academy Opening Race works
The Opening Race was held in Montreal and will also feature at the Austin round. It offers the same full allocation of championship points as the Feature Race, while its starting grid is determined by each driver’s second-fastest qualifying lap.
The format creates another points-scoring opportunity during the season for Larsen as she attempts to recover in the standings. Her Canadian weekend already demonstrated her ability to deliver a strong performance in difficult circumstances, including a standout drive during the F1 Academy round in Montreal.
Before that additional Austin race arrives, the immediate priority is Zandvoort. With half of the campaign still available, the Dutch weekend gives the Ferrari-backed driver another chance to score important points and begin moving back up the championship order.
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