Palmowski F1 Academy title confirmed in Austin
The Palmowski F1 Academy title was secured at the Circuit of the Americas after the Reverse Grid Race, with three races still remaining. Alisha Palmowski built an unassailable lead after winning Friday’s Opening Race and finishing second behind Alba Larsen. She leads closest challenger Emme Felbermayr by 70 points, with a maximum of 67 points still available.
The championship was settled by points arithmetic after a weekend in which Palmowski won the Opening Race and finished second in the Reverse Grid Race. The result makes her the second Briton to win the F1 Academy title after Abbi Pulling in 2024.
Austin Results and Points Arithmetic
Palmowski has dominated the season, winning five of the 11 races so far and taking six pole positions. The Red Bull-backed driver, 20, is the youngest F1 Academy champion. Her lead over Felbermayr meant the remaining three races could not overturn the gap even if the challenger took maximum points.
She praised the team and her family, who were in Austin. “We did it guys! It’s incredible. I don’t know what to say. I’m trying not to cry!” she said. “There’s so much hard work gone on behind the scenes, not just from myself, but all the people you won’t see. They have lived it day and night.”
Palmowski also credited Campos Racing and Red Bull Racing, saying the team had left no stone unturned. She singled out her engineer Diego, saying he had lived the campaign with her every day and night. The comments came after the title was confirmed, with her family present at the circuit.
Red Bull Backing and Rookie Progress
This is Palmowski’s second full F1 Academy campaign. She won the 2025 season-opener in her rookie season and added another four podiums. She has been backed by Red Bull since the start of last year, after finishing as runners-up in the 2024 GB4 Championship.
“I’ve learned so much in the last 18 months to two years being with Red Bull,” she said. “I learned about things I didn’t know. I’ve developed so much, not only as a driver but a person as well. I’ve matured so much in the last 12 months. It’s a dream come true.”
Palmowski’s six pole positions and five wins from 11 races are the source’s clearest measures of her season. The 70-point margin reflects her scoring rate and the 67 points left for rivals.
What Comes Next for Palmowski
Palmowski starts on pole for Sunday’s main race in Austin at 5pm, live on Sky Sports F1. She may now look to make a similar move to previous champions in 2027. Marta Garcia, Abbi Pulling and Doriane Pin have gone on to race in other motorsport categories in endurance racing and Formula Regional.
“There are conversations happening in the background but I’m leaving that to my management team,” she told Sky Sports F1. “I want to go as far up the single-seater ladder as possible but I’m aware motorsport is a results-based business.”
She added: “I’m a big believer that when you go in a car, the helmet goes on, the car doesn’t have a gender and we are fighting for the same thing.” The next step is not confirmed in the source. Her immediate focus remains Sunday’s main race from pole in Austin.
Sunday Pole and Live Coverage
Formula 1 is in The Americas for another triple-header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Palmowski’s title weekend continues with the main race from pole.
- 5pm: F1 Academy Race 3
- 6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: United States GP build-up
- 8pm: United States Grand Prix
- 10pm: Chequered Flag: United States GP reaction
- 11pm: Ted’s Notebook
The United States Grand Prix and build-up are also on Sky Sports Main Event. The original report is available at skysports.com.
