‘A small mistake with a big cost’ – Hausmann relieved to compensate for lost podium with Race 2 points

Tina Hausmann endured a topsy-turvy weekend in Zandvoort as an error from the Aston Martin driver wiped out her chance of a maiden podium, but a solid haul of points on Sunday eased the sting.

Hausmann’s hopes of securing her first F1 ACADEMY silverware were bolstered after qualifying in seventh, awarding her a front row start on the reverse grid for Race 1. Losing second to Williams’ Lia Block at the opening corner, a wide moment on the next lap saw the Swiss driver hit the barrier.

Shrugging off the DNF, she overcame tyre degradation and the constant presence of teammate and Race 1 winner Nina Gademan in her mirrors to take her second top-five finish of the season in Race 2.

Collecting the 10 points, Hausmann was grateful to have something to show for her efforts but accepts a lot more could have been possible.

“It helps to leave the weekend on a positive note,” she said after the race. “We did a good job on Friday and in Qualifying. It would have been a shame to leave the weekend with a bad feeling, but today we made up for it.

“I really learned from what happened yesterday. It was a small mistake with a big cost or a big consequence. Today we went again with a lot of confidence and it worked out really well. I made-up two positions and finished P5, so good points.”

Demoted to eighth in Standings, following Gademan’s elevation to sixth, Hausmann can look forward to visiting her favourite venue at the end of the month. Although she scored a solitary point there last year, the 18-year-old is optimistic about her chances when returning to the Singaporean streets.

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“I’m really confident for Singapore,” noted Hausmann. “It’s my childhood dream to race in Singapore, so my motivation is very high. I really want to make myself proud.

“I’m preparing well in the simulator because it's a very specific track with a lot of walls around you, so you need to be on top of things before even starting. I think it's going to be a good weekend.”