Key Highlights:
- Alisha Palmowski secured the 2026 F1 ACADEMY Drivers’ Championship by finishing second in the Austin Reverse Grid Race after starting from eighth.
- Ferrari’s Alba Larsen took her maiden victory in the series, controlling the race following an early Safety Car restart to win by 2.3 seconds.
- Lisa Billard completed the podium in third to achieve her maiden top-three finish, while Emma Felbermayr placed fourth.
Palmowski Charges Through the Field to Seal the 2026 Crown
Red Bull Racing driver Alisha Palmowski has officially clinched the 2026 F1 ACADEMY Drivers’ title following a dynamic performance in the Reverse Grid Race at Austin. Palmowski entered the weekend boasting a commanding 63-point cushion over her nearest title challenger, Audi’s Emma Felbermayr. Starting in eighth position—directly in front of Felbermayr—Palmowski executed a calculated drive through the pack to finish as the runner-up, effectively putting the championship out of reach for the rest of the grid with three races remaining in the season.
The race commenced with reverse-grid polesitter Rafaela Ferreira retaining the lead off the line for Racing Bulls. However, drama unfolded quickly behind her when contact between Ferreira and Williams driver Jade Jacquet triggered an early Safety Car intervention. The situation escalated when Wild Card entrant Alexia Danielsson collided with Jacquet’s stricken car, prompting an immediate neutralize-and-clear effort from marshals.
Alba Larsen Controls the Pack for Maiden Series Victory
Ferrari’s Alba Larsen capitalized immediately on the opening-lap incident to seize the lead of the race. Once the Safety Car peeled off, the Ferrari-backed racer took complete control of the pace from the restart. Behind her, Gatorade driver Lisa Billard made a decisive move around the outside of Turn 1 to pass the damaged machinery of Ferreira, slotting firmly into second position.
Larsen delivered a composed drive out out front, managing the gap to take the checkered flag by 2.3 seconds. The triumph marks Larsen’s first victory in F1 ACADEMY, extending a stellar streak of form that saw her claim podium spots in each of her three previous outings.
Championship Battle and the Finishing Order
As Larsen paced the field, Palmowski and Felbermayr traded sector times while moving through traffic. The British driver gained an essential upper hand when both drivers found a way past Nina Gademan. Natalia Granada, who was holding onto third place, was handed a time penalty for a starting procedure infringement. This infraction elevated Palmowski to third before she overtook Billard to claim second place outright, providing more than enough points to become the fourth champion in F1 ACADEMY history.
Billard took the third step of the podium, capturing her maiden top-three finish in the championship. Felbermayr came home in fourth, while Gademan crossed the line fifth. Mercedes representative Payton Westcott secured sixth, Megan Bruce claimed seventh, and Ella Lloyd rounded out the top eight to capture the final championship point.
Why This Matters
Alisha Palmowski’s title coronation solidifies her dominance across the 2026 F1 ACADEMY calendar, wrapping up the drivers’ championship with three races to spare. The result places her alongside the all-female series’ past titleholders, highlighting Red Bull Racing’s successful development program. With the primary championship battle now concluded, attention shifts to individual achievements down the order, starting with Sunday’s Feature Race at 12:00 local time in Austin. Palmowski is slated to start from pole position as she pursues her sixth race win of the 2026 campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Alisha Palmowski clinch the 2026 F1 ACADEMY Drivers’ Championship early?
Palmowski entered the Austin Reverse Grid Race holding a 63-point lead over Audi’s Emma Felbermayr. By fighting through the field from eighth on the grid to finish second—ahead of Felbermayr in fourth—she secured an insurmountable points buffer with three races left in the season.
Who won the F1 ACADEMY Reverse Grid Race in Austin?
Ferrari driver Alba Larsen won the race, claiming her maiden F1 ACADEMY victory by a margin of 2.3 seconds after taking the lead following an early incident involving Rafaela Ferreira and Jade Jacquet.
When is the next race of the Austin F1 ACADEMY round?
The Austin weekend concludes with the Feature Race on Sunday at 12:00 local time, where newly crowned champion Alisha Palmowski will start on pole position.
