Weug hails ‘positive test’ after finding keys to unlock pace in ever-changing conditions

Ferrari’s Maya Weug rounded out the two days of in-season testing on an encouraging note, securing the second-fastest time around the Circuit Zandvoort.

Frequent downpours around the Dutch track pushed the drivers to the limit as they overcame the demanding conditions. Despite the challenges the weather presented, Weug was contented with how she adapted to them.

“It’s great to drive at home,” Weug said. “I think it’s been a great two days. The weather has been a bit crazy with the wet, dry and drying track, so it was a bit difficult to get the right tyres on and pressures in the wet. I think in the dry we were competitive; I think we did two good runs in the dry.

“P2 in the end is good start. I love the track. It was really cool to drive in the dry as well, so overall we tried many things and I think we learned a lot through these two days, so a positive test.”

With 4.259km of tight, twisty banked corners, Zandvoort presents a very different challenge to the high-speed Jeddah circuit. It’s one that Weug clearly relished, not only because it’s her home track, but as a test of endurance and nerve.

“Zandvoort is just an old school track, so you’re always driving on the limit of the gravel or the grass, so there’s really no runoffs. Then of course, the banking is the most iconic part about Zandvoort. It makes it tough physically, tougher than the other tracks. It’s just really cool because you have so much more grip when you drive around the banking.”

Fortunately, a late break in the rain for the final hour of the day gifted the field a chance to get some slick tyre running under their belt. Laying down a 1:36.368, Weug finished three tenths adrift of testing pacesetter Abbi Pulling.

READ MORE: Pulling does the double to end Zandvoort in-season testing quickest

Reflecting on the two days of testing, the Ferrari driver stressed how valuable the mixed conditions proved to be, allowing her to get a baseline in before racing in Miami at the start of May and gain some reference points for Round 4’s return to Zandvoort later on in the season.

“Luckily, I didn’t have an off this time,” she admitted. “Overall, it’s just so difficult because with so much wind the track was changing very quickly from dry to wet. When it comes down in Zandvoort, there comes a lot of rain.

“It’s very important to be able to adapt, not only driving-wise, but also setup-wise and the car to adapt as quick as possible to the conditions we have.

She added: “The dry running was especially important for us to see how we improved from Jeddah, to see how we will go in Miami and to try some things from that. And of course, in the rain you always learn. It’s always valuable running and you learn so much, especially in these changing conditions.”