F1 Academy: Palmowski Nears Title with Austin Victory
Alisha Palmowski claimed her fifth win of the season in Austin, bringing her closer to the F1 Academy title. The race saw Palmowski overcome early challenges to secure victory and extend her championship lead.
Alisha Palmowski is edging ever closer to clinching the 2026 F1 Academy title after securing her fifth victory of the season at the Opening Race in Austin. The Red Bull Racing driver demonstrated resilience and skill, overcoming an initial setback at the start. Payton Westcott briefly took the lead, but Palmowski capitalized on a shaky performance from the Mercedes driver in Sector 1, reclaiming her position at Turn 9.
The race was not without its share of excitement, as a collision among Rachel Robertson, Rafaela Ferreira, and Megan Bruce brought out an early Safety Car. Palmowski maintained her composure at the restart, with Alba Larsen of Ferrari briefly posing a challenge. However, Larsen's off-track maneuver led to orders to relinquish her position, allowing Palmowski to retain her lead.
Even a second Safety Car restart on the final lap didn't shake Palmowski's hold on victory. She finished the race ahead of Alpine junior Nina Gademan and Ferrari's Alba Larsen, extending her championship lead to 63 points. Lisa Billard grabbed her season's best finish in fourth, while Emma Felbermayr, a title contender, followed in fifth.
Further down the order, Natalia Granada finished sixth, with Payton Westcott slipping to seventh after her early misstep. LEGO Racing's Esmee Kosterman took eighth, Ella Stevens secured ninth, and Williams’ Jade Jacquet rounded out the top ten, earning her first points in the series.
Palmowski's triumph sets the stage for a potential championship win in the upcoming Reverse Grid Race on Saturday evening, where she will start from P8, just ahead of her closest rival, Felbermayr. Meanwhile, her Campos Racing teammate Rafaela Ferreira aims for her first podium, starting from pole position on the reverse grid.