Alisha Palmowski tops F1 Academy Qualifying in Austin
It has been a long two months since the Zandvoort F1 Academy weekend, but this week the drivers are back in action in Austin for the United States Grand Prix. Thursday afternoon marked the beginning of the penultimate Qualifying session of the season.
It was Championship leader Alisha Palmowski who went fastest in Austin to claim Pole Position after her initially deleted fastest lap was reinstated after the sessions conclusion.
Here is how it all played out in the Qualifying session in Texas.
How it happened
As there are three races this weekend, two times will be considered. The second fasted times will form the grid for the Opening Race, the top eight fastest times will be reversed for the Reverse Grid Race, and the fastest laps will form the lineup for the Feature Race.
After a tricky practice session coming in 15th, American Ava Dobson was first to set the pace with time of 2:12.723. Emma Felbermayr was quick to take her position with a 2:09.901 lap as a response to exceeding track limits in her previous lap.
Championship leader Palmowski was quick to announce her presence producing a lap time of 2:09.008 despite locking up. She went on to produce a 2:08.485 lap in her next run.
After securing a seat with Scuderia Ferrari for the 2027 F1 Academy season, Alba Larson took the second fastest lap, just one second behind Palmowski.
Westcott, who spun during practice set a solid lap of 2:08.628 to place her comfortably in second, five tenths ahead of third.
Palmowski proved her dominance on the track improving her time once again to 2:08.337 allowing her to maintain the fastest time.
As the halfway mark of the session approached, the standings for the Reverse Grid Race had Natalia Granada in eighth, placing her on Reverse Grid Pole.
Similar to practice, track limits were pushed during the Qualifying session with many times deleted. This impacted the second fastest times of some of the drivers. For example, Felbermayr who's fastest time placed her in 5th, sat in 17th for her second fastest time.
Producing the fastest final sector for the session, Rafaela Ferreira improved to third fastest just half a second behind Palmowski who was yet to be challenged for fastest.
Felbermayr who was looking to improve her position for the opening race set an impressive fastest first sector, but a lock up cost her what could have been an impressive lap.
As Palmowski improved again to set a time of 2:08.250, recent French F4 winner Lisa Billard promoted herself to third sitting just over four tenths behind provisional pole.
A strong lap from Westcott saw her take the fastest lap with an impressive time of 2:07.812 to claim provisional pole.
Palmowski was quick to respond setting a fastest first sector, however after exceeding track limits her time was deleted and she was unable to contend for Pole.
Wildcard Alexia Danielsson, who is looking for a full-time position in F1 Academy next year struggled to produce a solid lap. Her time placed her in 15th.
At the conclusion of the session it was Westcott who took Pole Position for the Feature Race with a time of 2:07.812. She also set the fastest second lap and had Pole Position secured for the Opening Race on Friday.
Palmowski initially secured the second to line up second alongside Westcott for both the Feature Race and Opening Race, and was followed by Nina Gademan in third.
However, after the races conclusion, Palmowski's lap was reinstated and therefore took Pole Position for the Feature Race.
Ferreira who set the eighth fastest time will take Reverse Grid Pole position for the Reverse Grid Race.
Looking ahead
With Palmowski still leading in the driver standings she will be looking to secure the championship this weekend in Austin.
The Opening Race will take place on Friday afternoon in Austin which is 12:50AM CEST.
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