Alpine Locks in Nina Gademan for a Title Charge in the 2026 F1 Academy Season
If there is one thing racing fans love more than a rookie underdog story, it’s a homecoming. And that is exactly what we are getting for the 2026 F1 Academy season. Alpine has officially confirmed they are extending their contract with Dutch sensation Nina Gademan, but there is a twist that’s going to make the Orange Army very happy: she is switching camps to race for the Dutch outfit, MP Motorsport.
For anyone who watched Gademan’s trajectory last year, this feels like the logical, feel-good next step in a career that is rapidly gathering momentum. She isn’t just staying on the grid; she is positioning herself as a serious title contender, backed by the might of Alpine and the comfort of a team that speaks her language—literally.
A Dutch Dream Team in the Making
Moving from Prema Racing to MP Motorsport is a significant shake-up. Prema is obviously a powerhouse, but there is an intangible magic that happens when a driver links up with a squad from their own soil. It’s a comfort factor that often translates into tenths of a second on the track.
Gademan didn’t shy away from the sentimentality of the move. She expressed genuine excitement about joining the “MP Motorsport family,” noting that the team has been a heavy hitter in the series since day one. “It’s always an advantage to race with your home team,” she noted. And she’s right. When the communication is seamless and the culture aligns, drivers often find that extra gear.
This move signals that Alpine and Gademan aren’t just looking to participate in 2026; they are looking to dominate. She’s taking the experience she gained fighting in the midfield and the front of the pack last year and bringing it to a garage where she feels right at home.
Looking Back at a Breakout 2025
To understand why this contract extension is such a big deal, you have to rewind to what Nina Gademan pulled off in 2025. In a series that is incredibly competitive, she didn’t just make up the numbers. She finished sixth in the standings—a respectable result for any driver—but the stats don’t tell the whole story.
The highlight, without a doubt, was Zandvoort. Winning your maiden race is special. Winning it on home soil, with the Dutch winds blowing and the home crowd roaring? That is the stuff careers are built on. That victory proved she has the mental fortitude to handle pressure when the spotlight is blindingly bright.
She backed that win up with consistency, too. It wasn’t a one-off fluke. Gademan grabbed podiums in Montreal—finishing third twice—and nearly snatched another win at the season finale in Las Vegas, coming home in second. She proved she can race on old-school tracks and glitzy street circuits alike.
The Alpine Vote of Confidence
In the cutthroat world of motorsport, a contract extension is the ultimate vote of confidence. Alpine retaining Gademan suggests they see a future champion. They’ve watched her data, seen her racecraft improve, and decided she is the horse they want to back for the 2026 campaign.
This continuity is crucial. While she is changing the garage crew by moving to MP, keeping the support of the Alpine Academy provides the stability a young driver needs. It means she doesn’t have to worry about the politics of sponsorship or manufacturer backing; she just has to focus on driving fast.
MP Motorsport’s Perspective
It’s not just Gademan who is smiling about this deal. Sander Dorsman, the Team Principal at MP Motorsport, sounded genuinely thrilled to welcome her to the fold. He pointed out something interesting—Gademan was a “wildcard” who turned into one of their biggest headaches on the track last year.
“She proved to be one of our strongest rivals,” Dorsman admitted. There is an old saying in sports: if you can’t beat them (or if they are making your life difficult), sign them. Dorsman acknowledged that while signing a Dutch driver is always a nice bonus for a Dutch team, this wasn’t a PR stunt. It was a performance-based decision. He is confident they will be fighting for wins immediately.
Eyes on Shanghai
So, what comes next? The winter break is going to be busy. Nina Gademan and MP Motorsport have a few months to gel, work out the setup preferences, and get their communication dialed in before the lights go out.
The 2026 F1 Academy season kicks off in Shanghai from March 13-15. It’s a technical track that requires precision, and it will be the first real test of this new partnership.
Gademan has already thrown down the gauntlet. “I feel that I am ready to challenge for more wins and the title in 2026,” she said. It’s a bold statement, but after watching her wrestle that car to victory in Zandvoort last year, I certainly wouldn’t bet against her.
For Alpine, for the Dutch fans, and for everyone who loves seeing a driver find their perfect fit, the 2026 season can’t come soon enough.
