Maya Weug has described the past year as the toughest of her career after being forced out of Ferrari's driver programme. The 22-year-old, who finished second in the F1 Academy last season, has struggled to secure consistent racing opportunities since reaching the eligibility cap.
From Championship Contender to Sidelines
Weug, who showed promise with four wins and 17 podiums from 27 starts in the F1 Academy, was edged out by Mercedes' Doriane Pin for the title. After her final season, she was no longer eligible to continue in the series, forcing her to look elsewhere.
Despite exploring options like Belcar with Art Racing and gaining experience in trackside coaching and engineering, Weug has found it difficult to land a stable racing seat. In a candid post on X, she admitted that her planned season fell apart just before it began due to circumstances beyond her control.
No Races on the Horizon
Weug expressed gratitude for the few Belcar races she managed, including a podium on her GT debut, but revealed that the 24 Hours of Zolder, which she had been scheduled to compete in, is no longer happening. With no races currently lined up, she has been focusing on coaching and engineering work to stay involved in the sport.
"I've kept working. Trackside coaching and time on the engineering side, in the debriefs and in the data. I've learned a huge amount and grown a lot this year. But I don't want to watch. I want to race, at the highest level, and show what I'm actually capable of," she wrote.
Appeal for Support
Weug acknowledged the harsh realities of motorsport, noting that she expected her past results to count for something. She thanked her supporters and expressed hope that new opportunities will arise, urging teams and partners to get in touch.
"Motorsport is a tough environment. I think I just expected that the results I put together over the past years would have counted for something," she said. "The people close to me keep telling me that when one door closes another one opens, and I'm choosing to believe them."
