Alisha Palmowski dominated F1 Academy qualifying in Montreal, securing pole positions for both the Feature and Opening races. Her performance left the competition in the dust, with consistent laps that set the pace.
Alisha Palmowski made an emphatic statement in Montreal, claiming both pole positions in the F1 Academy qualifying session. The Red Bull Racing driver showed a masterclass in consistency, leading the pack from the start and clocking a best lap of 1m 38.466s, which secured her pole for Sunday’s Feature Race by a comfortable 0.390 seconds.
Her second-best effort was just as impressive, ensuring she also starts at the front for Saturday morning’s Opening Race, this time by a margin of four tenths. It was a flawless performance that underscored her dominance on the track.
Meanwhile, Mercedes driver Payton Westcott will be pleased with her first front row start, securing P2, while Megan Bruce followed in third. Bruce’s second-quickest lap nudged her ahead of Westcott for the Opening Race, suggesting a competitive weekend ahead.
Elsewhere, Emma Felbermayr and Mathilda Paatz were consistent, locking in P4 and P5 for both races. Alba Larsen took sixth, but it was Rafaela Ferreira who managed to leapfrog her on the grid for the Opening Race thanks to her second-fastest lap.
Kaylee Countryman, in the Haas, will be starting Sunday’s Reverse Grid Race from P1, having secured eighth in the qualifying session. Completing the top ten were Nina Gademan and Lisa Billard, with some reshuffling between Ferreira and Larsen just behind them.
Palmowski’s performance has certainly set the tone for the weekend, and the rest of the field will be keen to challenge her supremacy in the races to come.