The first 2026 weekend of F1 Academy has ended with Emma Felbermayr claiming a convincing maiden victory during Race 2 at the Chinese Grand Prix.
It was an experienced front row lockout, with Alisha Palmowski and Alba Larsen occupying the first two spots on the grid. Behind them, Mercedes rookie Payton Westcott is in third, the rookie aiming to claim a podium in her first race weekend.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s race winner Nina Gademan started Race 2 from eighth, the Alpine-backed driver aiming to complete yet another strong performance.
Lights out
As the lights went out for the final time in Shanghai, Palmowski had a poor start, dropping down to third as the drivers made their way to Turn 1. But a solid start from Larsen left her at the front of the field, leading the pack away. The Danish driver immediately created a gap as others battled behind her.
Further behind the front, an intense battle continued in the midfield. Ella Lloyd sat in sixth during Lap 2, but was continuously under pressure from Racing Bulls’ Rafaela Ferreira.
The experienced drivers continued to battle it out, as the laps unfolded, with Lloyd defending seemingly for her life. The McLaren-backed driver had been one of the biggest movers so far, moving from 10th, up to sixth
As this all unfolded, Saturday’s debutant podium finisher, Natalia Granada, was forced to make an early pit stop to change her front wing. This came following contact between herself and Ferreira on the opening lap.
On Lap 4, Larsen had broken clear of the rest of the field, claiming a two-second gap to her rivals behind. However, the fight for the final podium places continued with Felbermayr and Palmowski continually swapping positions, as the pair battled throughout the opening laps.
Drama unfolded on Lap 6 when Jade Jacquet locked up under braking and made contact with Esmee Kostermann. The incident took both drivers out of the race, and brought out the Safety Car.
Its deployment was ill-timed for Larsen, who had built up a gap between herself and the rest of the field. With a charging Felbermayr and Palmowski behind, the Ferrari driver was now under immense pressure on the restart.
Racing and chaos resume
At the end of Lap 8, the Safety Car peeled back into the pit lane. Larsen led the field away and seemingly had a good start until the final turn, where a snap of oversteer forced her through the gravel trap.
The Danish driver’s hopes of a maiden podium slowly slipped away, as she continued to battle her way through the field from eighth place.
Felbermayr now led the race on Lap 9, with Palmowski close behind, the pair locked in a tense battle for the victory. Meanwhile, Lloyd was still trying to find a way past Race 1 winner Gademan, who was defending strongly.
Contact occurred on Lap 11 between teammates of Rachel Robertson and Shi Wei. The hometown hero, who had been running in 14th after making solid improvements from her wildcard entry last season, sustained damage in the incident and was forced to retire from the race, bringing a disappointing end to her home event.
On the final lap, the battle for the victory intensified with Palmowski just three tenths behind the race leader. The Campos driver continually pressured the 19-year-old until the chequered flag. However, she was unable to get past, Palmowski ultimately settling for second.
Felbermayr claimed her maiden victory in F1 Academy, putting herself in firm contention for the 2026 title, with Westcott rounding out the podium in third.
As the series heads into a prolonged break, it’s Audi’s Emma Felbermayr who leads the championship, in her last season of the series.
READ MORE – F1 Academy 2026 Chinese Grand Prix – Race 2 Results
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