Amna Al Qubaisi, Hamda Al Qubaisi and Emely de Heus looking back at the third round in Barcelona.
The F1 Academy was part of the support program of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix. The Red Bull Academy Programme is sponsoring three cars and drivers for the F1 Academy 2024 Season, who will be competing for MP Motorsports in the F1 Academy series.
Amna Al Qubaisi
Visa Cash App RB Academy Programme, Operated By MP Motorsport
Race 1 – Finish Position: DNF, Start Position: P13
Race 2 – Finish Position: P12, Start Position: P14
“It was a tricky weekend overall. In practice, we were feeling good about pace and were running in the top ten but in Qualifying we didn’t have the right set-up and struggled to convert. In Race 1 I managed to have a really good start and climbed up to P8, before getting caught up in a mess and unfortunately was taken out of the race. It was a really unfortunate end to my race especially as we felt that we had the pace to finish in the points. The track was pretty dirty at the start of Race 2 so it was all about adapting and I was focused on managing my tyres and fighting up the grid for the rest of the race. We’ll take the key learnings from this weekend and start prepping for the next round in Zandvoort.”
Hamda Al Qubaisi
Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme, Operated By MP Motorsport
Race 1 – Finish Position: P5, Start Position: P7
Race 2 – Finish Position: P3, Start Position: P5
“What a weekend! From the first session, the car felt good and we were running in the top three so we knew we had a good pace heading into the weekend. In Qualifying we didn’t fully put things together and I wasn’t able to improve on the second set so that put us a bit lower to start for the races. In Race 1, I couldn’t quite keep up with the cars in the front, but in Race 2 I had the pace and was able to follow closely and ultimately climb to P3. It feels amazing to achieve my first podium of the season, and my first in Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme colours, while also securing some good points for the team with a double-point finish. Overall, it was a great weekend in Barcelona and it’s only upwards from here!”
Emely de Heus
Red Bull Ford Academy Programme, Operated By MP Motorsport
Race 1 – Finish Position: P6, Start Position: P11
Race 2 – Finish Position: P10, Start Position: P11
“It was nice to be back on track here in Barcelona, and it’s a place I have good memories of from last year when I scored my first win in F1 Academy. This weekend we started P11 in both races, which was a little disappointing but there was positive improvement from Miami and Jeddah. In Race 1 I had a really strong start and good overtaking opportunities so was able to climb to P6 and score some good points. Race 2 was a little trickier as it was hard to overtake, but I still felt like I had good pace and was able to gain a position to finish in the top 10. It was a double points weekend, and I’m already looking forward to driving at my home race at Zandvoort next!”