Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Alisha Palmowski wins 2026 F1 Academy title in Austin
Britain’s Alisha Palmowski clinched the 2026 F1 Academy title in Austin, Texas, after finishing second in the reverse-grid race.
She followed a win in Friday’s opening race with that second-place finish, building a lead that could no longer be caught.
Her 70-point advantage over Emme Felbermayr was more than the maximum 67 points still available, according to one account; another describes the title as secured with a race to spare.
Palmowski, 20, is the youngest F1 Academy champion and the second British winner after Abbi Pulling in 2024.
She has won five of the season’s 11 races and taken six pole positions.
Palmowski is aiming to climb the single-seater racing ladder, and she said discussions about her next move are under way, with her management team handling them.
Alisha Palmowski clinched the 2026 F1 Academy championship in Austin after building an unassailable points lead.
She finished second in the reverse-grid race behind Alba Larsen, after winning Friday’s opening race.
Sky Sports said Palmowski had a 70-point lead over Emme Felbermayr with a maximum of 67 points remaining, while Motorsport Week described the title as sealed with a race to spare.
The 20-year-old is the youngest F1 Academy champion and the second British driver to win the title.
Palmowski said she hoped to progress as far up the single-seater ladder as possible.
- Who
- Alisha Palmowski, a British driver backed by Red Bull.
- What
- She clinched the 2026 F1 Academy championship.
- When
- In October 2026, during the Austin race weekend.
- Where
- Circuit of the Americas in Austin, United States.
- Why
- Her points lead became unassailable; Sky Sports reported she led closest challenger Emme Felbermayr by 70 points with a maximum of 67 remaining.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Palmowski won the opening race at the Circuit of the Americas.
Alba Larsen won, while Palmowski finished second and clinched the championship.
- Champion
- Alisha Palmowski
- Season
- 2026 F1 Academy
- Circuit
- Circuit of the Americas, Austin
- Reverse-grid race winner
- Alba Larsen
- Points lead
- 70 points over Emme Felbermayr, according to Sky Sports
- Age
- 20
4 sources
What people are saying
We did it guys! It's incredible. I don't know what to say. I'm trying not to cry!
It's a dream come true.
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.
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ALISHA PALMOWSKI. 2026 F1 ACADEMY CHAMPION 🏆 Unrivalled pace. Unshakeable confidence. Round after round, it's been a Champion's season for the Red Bull driver. #F1ACADEMY