Maya Weug is the first girl to be part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, the Maranello school that prepares future Formula 1 champions (Charles Leclerc and Mick Schumacher, just not to mention names, left there). On the French circuit of Paul Ricard, the sixteen-year-old Dutchwoman made her debut in the inaugural stage of the Italian Formula 4 championship. For her it was her first experience in a single-seater race weekend.
«Maya showed a good approach to the category and a progressive harmony – writes Ferrari on its website – which led her to finish the third and final race of the weekend in 15th position (out of 37 drivers at the start), as well as on the podium in the ranking reserved for beginners ».
The Le Castellet weekend started with the two qualifying sessions, concluded by Maya in 26th and 19th place. In race-1, in the rain, he finished in 19th position, fifth among the rookies. In race-2 he crossed the line in 17th place (still fifth among rookies). Finally, in race-3 Maya managed all the restarts from the safety car well, finishing in fifteenth position and being second among the rookies: a placement that confirmed a gradual improvement at the end of a flawless weekend.
«I think Maya started in the right way – commented the director of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Marco Matassa – in a weekend when everything was new for her, she made no mistakes, confirming some very encouraging flashes. It is a starting point on which we will work together. Maya must be satisfied with this debut ».
After the first round of the season, the Italian Formula 4 championship will be back on track from 4 to 6 June at the Misano Adriatico circuit.