The short version
- Alisha Palmowski became the youngest driver to win the F1 Academy championship after finishing second in Saturday's race at the Circuit of the Americas.
- The Campos Racing driver, who is part of the Red Bull driver academy, secured the title before the season finale in Las Vegas, ending any mathematical hope for rival Emma Felbermayr.
- Palmowski joins Abbi Pulling as only the second British winner in the series, having claimed five victories across eleven races this season.
Alisha Palmowski has officially been crowned the champion of the F1 Academy, securing the title with a strong performance at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. The twenty-year-old British driver finished second in Saturday’s reverse grid race, a result that was sufficient to guarantee her position at the top of the standings ahead of Sunday’s feature event and the upcoming season finale in Las Vegas this November.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Palmowski, who becomes the youngest champion in the history of the all-female development series. Her achievement also places her among an exclusive group of British drivers to have won the title, following Abbi Pulling’s championship win in 2024. Driving for Campos Racing and supported by the Red Bull driver academy, Palmowski has demonstrated consistent excellence throughout the current campaign.
The path to the championship was defined by remarkable consistency rather than a single dominant performance. Across the eleven races held so far this season, Palmowski secured five victories. Her record shows minimal variance in performance, with only one instance where she failed to score points, which occurred during a reverse grid race at Zandvoort. This steady accumulation of points allowed her to build an insurmountable lead as the season progressed toward its conclusion.
The championship battle effectively ended on Saturday when Austrian driver Emma Felbermayr, who remained the only competitor with a mathematical chance of overtaking Palmowski, finished fourth in the reverse grid race. That result eliminated any possibility for Felbermayr to close the gap, confirming Palmowski’s status as the series winner before the final weekend of competition even began.
While Palmowski secured the title, the race itself highlighted the competitive depth of the field. Denmark’s Alba Larsen claimed the checkered flag, marking her first-ever victory in the F1 Academy. Completing the podium was seventeen-year-old French driver Lisa Billard, who finished third. These results underscore the high level of talent present in the series, even as Palmowski’s championship run stands out for its dominance.
In the aftermath of the race, Palmowski expressed deep emotion regarding her achievement, describing the moment as a realization of a long-held dream. She dedicated the championship to her grandmother, who has been ill, and offered public gratitude to her family for their unwavering support. Her comments highlighted the personal sacrifices made by her parents, who paused their own lives to facilitate her racing career from a young age.
Palmowski’s journey into motorsport began when she was eight or nine years old, a path initially supported solely by her parents. The dedication required to reach this level of professional competition has been substantial, involving years of training and financial investment from her family. Her success serves as a testament to that early start and the sustained effort required to compete at the highest levels of single-seater racing.
As the series prepares for its final event in Las Vegas, the focus will shift to the remaining drivers competing for positions in the standings. However, Palmowski’s championship is now secure, capping off a season that has seen her establish herself as a leading figure in women’s motorsport. Her performance at the Circuit of the Americas not only secured the title but also reinforced the growing prominence of British talent within the F1 Academy structure.
The conclusion of Palmowski’s title defense adds another chapter to the evolving narrative of the F1 Academy, which continues to serve as a crucial development platform for female drivers aiming to progress in motorsport. With the championship decided, attention will now turn to how these drivers perform in their final races and what opportunities may arise from their performances in the broader racing ecosystem.
Palmowski’s achievement is likely to be remembered not just for the title itself, but for the manner in which it was secured. By maintaining consistency across a challenging season and capitalizing on key moments, she demonstrated the maturity and skill required to succeed in high-pressure environments. Her success provides a benchmark for future competitors and highlights the increasing competitiveness of the series.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC Sport↗Briton Palmowski wins F1 Academy title