Alisha Palmowski claims F1 Academy title as Alba Larsen wins Reverse Grid Race in Austin
Alisha Palmowski is the 2026 F1 Academy Champion after a strong drive from eighth saw her finish in second, giving her adequate points to claim the title.
Finishing in first Alba Larsen, who made her way up from fourth, clinched her first win in F1 Academy. Simultaneously to round out the podium, Lisa Billard claimed her first podium in the series.
How it happened
Whilst the race began on a yellow flag, Rafaela Ferreira had a strong start off the line to maintain a charging lead ahead of Jade Jacquet and Billard.
Jacquet pulled into the lead, however it was short lived after contact with Ferriera after a late move saw her spin off the track in Turn 15. Wildcard Driver Alexia Danielsson was also caught in the collision marking the end to both Jacquet and Danielsson’s races.
Just before the second yellow flag was called Larsen pulled into the lead and shortly after the safety car was called. Meanwhile, into Lap 3 Ferriera was feeling the effects of the earlier collision signaling a wheel issue over the radio.
Lap 5 marked the end of the safety car and Larsen was off with a flying restart gaining a strong lead ahead of the pack, pulling 2.2 seconds away from Billard who sat in second.
At the end of Lap 6, Nina Gademan and Emma Felbermayr were engaged in a close battle for sixth. Whilst their wheels touched, they continued the battle into Lap 7, but it was Felbermayr who held steady to maintain her position.
A late lunge from Ella Lloyd caused her to have a small collision with the side of Rachel Robertson’s Puma livery, which consequently hit the side of Ella Stevens McLaren Oxagon livery.
Meanwhile at the front of the field Palmowski found impressive pace to find herself in third after making made her way up the field from eighth. She continued her pace to take the fastest lap, inching her closer to the championship title.
In Lap 10, Palmowski advanced to second after overtaking rookie Billard. However, she still remained 3-seconds behind Larsen who remained comfortably in first.
Despite the earlier contact, Lloyd made her way into the points, finding pace and battling her way up to eighth. She was quickly closing in on Megan Bruce who was steady in seventh.
Crossing the line in first was Larsen who claimed her first win in F1 Academy after two years in the series. She was followed by Palmowski in second who scored enough points to grasp the championship, and Billard in third, for her first podium in F1 Academy.
Looking ahead
With the title sealed, the battle for second for the 2026 F1 Academy driver championship will continue on Sunday with the Feature Race.
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