Alisha Palmowski steps closer to championship title after Opening Race win in Austin
On Friday afternoon the 18 drivers lined up for the Opening Race of the United States Grand Prix weekend for F1 Academy. After having her impressive Pole lap reinstated, Red Bull Junior Alisha Palmowski lined up on the from row alongside American rookie Payton Westcott who was eager to win at home.
Looking to clinch the championship title, Palmowski claimed another win in Austin in a strong Opening Race. She was followed by
How it happened
To start the 13-lap race it was Westcott who had a strong start off the line to pull into the lead ahead of Palmowski. However, a poor exit out of the first corner from Westcott saw Palmowski regain the lead.
In the middle of the first lap a spin from Rafaela Ferreira ended in a collision with Puma-backed Rachel Roberston resulting in a safety car. Robertson was out; however Ferreira was still in the race.
Further up the field, Westcott ran wide resulting in her losing multiple positions falling into 8th. Meanwhile, Ella Lloyd who was also impacted by the collision in the first lap, lost a few positions into 16th.
Championship contender Emma Felbermayr made her way up the field just before the safety car was called and moved up to 7th.
Lap 3 marked the end of the safety car, and it was back green in Austin with Palmowski leading Nina Gademan and Alba Larsen.
Palmowski had a strong start off the line, but just behind her Larsen was on the attack overtaking Gademan to start Lap 4.
Felbermayr and Westcott were on the move making their way to 6th and 7th respectively.
In the middle of the field Jade Jaquet and Emma Kosterman were in a battle for 9th as they alternated places through laps 4 and 5.
As the halfway mark approached the top three were in pursuit separated by just under a second each between the three.
Felbermayr continued to improve into fifth and was soon in the mirrors or Lisa Billard’s Gatorade livery ahead.
With Larsen inching closer to taking the lead she was noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage from her earlier move of Gademan.
In Lap 9 Palmowski continued to attempt to extend her lead, but Larsen was close behind.
In Lap 10, a collision from Lloyd and Ava Dobson signalled the second yellow flag for the race and resulted in another safety car. Whilst Lloyd continued on, it was an early end for Dobson in her home race.
In the final lap the safety car ended leaving the field to go racing again for the final lunge.
On restart with a penalty looming, Larsen gave the position back to Gademan as a safeguard for the incident earlier in the race.
In a final lap lunge Felbermayr and Billard were in a battle for fourth but ultimately, it was Billard who held strong.
Just before the flag Larsen made her final attempt for second, however Gademan held steady on her teammate.
It was Palmowski her crossed the line in first after an impressive drive to move her one step closer to the championship trophy. Palmowski was followed by Gademan in second and Larsen in third to round out the podium.
Looking ahead
Palmowski will continue her championship charge in the Reverse Grid Race with Ferriera on Pole.
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