Preview

PREVIEW: F1 ACADEMY returns with in-season and rookie testing in Navarra

15 September 2025
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Before the season heads to the streets of Singapore, the paddock reconvenes for three days of testing as both the 2025 field and those eyeing up seats for the 2026 campaign take to the track.

The Circuito de Navarra in northern Spain plays host to F1 ACADEMY’s first-ever Rookie Test, as 18 drivers look to show that they’ve got what it takes to be considered for a spot on next year’s grid. Meanwhile, the current field will get a chance to put in some valuable mileage before for the penultimate round of the campaign.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Running from September 16 – 18th, testing is split into two back-to-back events with 18 hours of track time available across the three days. The 2025 grid will be in action on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the Rookie Test drivers putting in their laps on Thursday.

All morning sessions will commence at 09:00 local time and will break for lunch at 12:00. On the 16th, running will resume at 14:00 until 17:00, whilst both Day 2’s and the Rookie Test’s afternoon session getting underway an hour earlier at 13:00 and ending at 16:00.

Each car will have seven sets of tyres of Pirelli tyres allocated for the three days. Five sets of tyres will be allocated for the in-season test, whilst the Rookie Test will use three sets, including one set carried over from the previous two days of testing.

Weug scored the first Grand Slam of the season by achieving pole the fastest lap and leading every lap on her way to victory in Race 2
Weug scored the first Grand Slam of the season by achieving pole, the fastest lap and leading every lap on her way to victory in Race 2

THE FIELD

  • Doriane Pin retained her 20-point lead of the Drivers’ Standings in Zandvoort, with Maya Weug’s victory and podium moving her back up to second ahead of Red Bull Ford's Chloe Chambers.
  • PREMA Racing hold firm at the top of the Teams’ Standings, 45 points clear of Campos Racing.
  • In Zandvoort Race 1, Nina Gademan became the seventh different victor of the 2025 season and fourth rookie to do so.
  • Weug achieved the second-largest winning margin in F1 ACADEMY history, finishing 7.3s ahead of Alisha Palmowski and beaten only by 2023 Champion Marta García’s 8.083s victory in the series’ first-ever race in Spielberg.
  • Stretching across 4.3km, the Circuito de Navarra features 17 turns.

KEEP UP TO DATE

In-season testing from Navarra will be covered on the official F1 ACADEMY website with end-of-day recaps after the chequered flag on each of the three days, followed by driver reactions.