F1 Academy China Race 1: Alba Larsen error ruins Ferrari driver’s Shanghai chances

Nina Gademan won the opening race of the F1 Academy 2026 season in China, with Natalia Granada coming 2nd and Emma Felbermayr grabbing the final podium spot in 3rd. However, my focus was, of course, on Ferrari’s Alba Hurup Larsen, with the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy representative starting from 7th on the grid despite qualifying 2nd, thanks to the reverse grid order rule in F1 Academy. It was a busy race for the Danish driver, and sadly Larsen found herself in all sorts of trouble after damaging her car while trying to overtake Audi’s Emma Felbermayr.

Alba Hurup Larsen’s F1 Academy China Race 1 Results

• 1st: #3 Nina Gademan (Supported by Alpine)
• 2nd: #19 Natalia Granada (Supported by Sephora)
• 3rd: #5 Emma Felbermayr (Supported by Audi)
• 4th: #18 Rafaela Ferreira (Supported by Racing Bulls)
• 5th: #21 Alisha Palmowski (Supported by Red Bull Racing)
• 6th: #9 Payton Westcott (Supported by Mercedes)
• 7th: #20 Ella Lloyd (Supported by McLaren)
• 8th: #14 Lisa Billard (Supported by Gatorade)
• 9th: #55 Ava Dobson (Supported by American Express)
• 10th: #56 Rachel Robertson (Supported by PUMA)
• 11th: #28 Ella Stevens (Supported by McLaren Oxagon)
• 12th: #4 Megan Bruce (Supported by TAG Heuer)
• 13th: #95 Jade Jacquet (Supported by Williams)
• 14th: #8 Mathilda Paatz (Supported by Aston Martin)
• 15th: #32 Esmee Kosterman (Supported by LEGO)
• 16th: #91 Kaylee Countryman (Supported by Haas)
• 17th: #24 Shi Wei–Hitech (Wildcard Entry)
• 18th: #12 Alba Hurup Larsen (Supported by Ferrari)

Alba Larsen Finishes Last After Damage

Because Race 1 in F1 Academy China was only 13 laps, coming back from 7th on the grid to win the race was always going to be a tough task. Alba Hurup Larsen qualified 2nd, but in F1 Academy, the top eight positions are reversed in Race 1 to promote overtaking and challenge the drivers. However, this gave Larsen a chance to battle against the F1 Academy’s season favourite, Alisha Palmowski. For most of the race, Larsen had Palmowski beaten, but the Ferrari driver got impatient behind Emma Felbermayr and collided into the back of her Audi, causing serious damage to the front of the Dane’s Ferrari. This damage was the end of Larsen’s podium chase, with the Ferrari driver ending the race in last.

But these things happen when you’re pushing hard for the win. The gap was never really there to attack. However, it shows that Alba Larsen is willing to fight hard this season to get results. Larsen will now have to perform in Race 2 if she still wants to get that maiden podium in F1 Academy in China, but that’ll be a lot easier given she’ll be starting from 2nd on the grid behind Alisha Palmowski.

To catch up on the complete Alba Hurup Larsen story, read her journey to the Ferrari Driver Academy here.