Alba Larsen sealed her first entrance row begin in Qualifying on the Shanghai International Circuit however revealed that there are nonetheless enhancements to be remodeled the remainder of the weekend.
The Ferrari driver held onto provisional pole for the primary half of the busy Qualifying session, ultimately conceding to Alisha Palmowski who discovered a bonus of 4 tenths, which Larsen couldn’t overhaul after making an error on her quickest try.
Larsen was nonetheless overjoyed with her P2 end, representing her greatest one-lap efficiency in the collection to date, and outlined the way it will give her the momentum to seek out her first podium end.
“I’m very happy overall with qualifying P2 and on the front row – my best start in F1 ACADEMY,” she summarised. “It’s a really good start in the partnership with Ferrari and I think they’re also very happy.
“Obviously the gap needs to be a bit closer but I did make a mistake on my best lap so I think there’s a little bit more to find from my side. I know the race pace is good so with a front row start, I’m definitely very happy and for the races, it means there’s a lot that can happen.”
Like Palmowski, who received in the reverse grid race at this circuit in 2025, Larsen achieved her greatest result of final season right here as she crossed the road to take a hard-fought fourth place in Race 2.
The earlier expertise has inspired the 17-year-old to go one step additional this yr and set her sights on some silverware, which might put her in sturdy competition for the title early on.
Prompted on what precisely concerning the circuit fits her, Larsen replied: “I don’t know! It’s a very nice track. Charles Leclerc said to me that for him, it’s the most challenging track but I seem to be quite good here, so I’m very much looking forward to the races.
“The races last year were really good, and I definitely hope I can do better than last year where P4 was the best. I definitely hope I can stand on the podium and maybe go for the win as well.”
