Ella Lloyd masters Jeddah for maiden F1 Academy victory
The Welsh driver held off a determined Maya Weug to take victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
JEDDAH–Emma Lloyd took charge of the race from turn one and didn't look back as she her maiden F1 Academy victory in race one at Jeddah.
Teammate Emma Felbermayr started on pole, but it was the Welsh driver who took the lead into turn one and held off a determined challenge from Maya Weug throughout the race to take a well-earned victory.
“I’m feeling pretty good," said the McLaren junior.
"My plan was to lead into turn one and that’s what I’ve done, pretty happy with myself for that. Then just be consistent and I think my race was pretty consistent."
Alisha Palmowski, quickly establishing herself as a contender in the all-female series, was soon up from fifth on the grid to second in the race, while Weug was also up through the field to third.
Lloyd carefully built her lead despite a late safety car, building a gap of almost a second to Palmowski, who was soon under pressure from Ferrari driver Weug.
The Dutch-Belgian driver took second with just a lap to go and set about chasing down Lloyd, who held on for victory by just a tenth of a second.
“They were behind me, but I knew they were too far away to do a move," said Lloyd.
"Maya tried into the last corner, but I didn’t even bother defending because I knew she was too far back.”
It was Lloyd's maiden win in the F1 Academy and Weug's 11th podium in the series.
Palmowski completed the podium after holding off Mercedes junior Doriane Pin, who had survived her own intense race after a battle with Tina Hausmann throughout the opening stages.
Brit Palmowski continues her form after winning in the season opener at Shanghai, while Pin continues her own streak of top five finishes.
Joanne Ciconte was the lead Australian after qualifying and finishing 11th, while Aiva Anagnostiadis improved to 14th after qualifying 16th.
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