F1 Academy has officially returned for 2026, with Alisha Palmowski claiming her maiden pole position during the season opener at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Coming into a brand new season, F1 Academy comes to fans’ screens with new rookies, tracks and major sponsors. The series kicks off its campaign in Shanghai, exactly as they did last season, with only seven of the 17 drivers having a season of experience under their belt.
Earlier in the day, drivers got on track for their first session of the year with Free Practice. It was Red Bull Racing’s Alisha Palmowski who topped the timing sheets, reminding fans why she comes into the season as the title favourite. The Briton was followed by Ferrari’s Alba Larsen.
Wei Shi is the wild card entry for the Chinese GP weekend for the second year running. Last season, the Chinese national, had a horrid run of luck throughout her weekend in the series, and will be eager to perform better this time round.
As the lights went out for the first qualifying session of the season, all drivers made their way onto the track immediately. As there is an average lap time of over two minutes, and 30 minutes in the session, drivers are eager to set a banker lap immediately.
Early Benchmark
Audi’s Emma Felbermayr set the pace early in the session, posting a 2:05.362 to lead the field. Meanwhile, FP1 leader Alisha Palmowski was two tenths off the benchmark, sitting two tenths behind her rival.
However, that didn’t last long, as Palmowski soon improved to a 2:04.9. Although it was still a few tenths shy of the time she had set earlier in FP1. With 18 minutes left in the session, Alba Larsen then went fastest, delivering a 2:04.6 to move to the top of the timesheets.
Rookie Lisa Billard set the timing sheets ablaze, becoming the fastest rookie with half of qualifying completed. The gatorade powered driver set a 2:05.025, just three tenths off Larsen’s time, in her second race weekend of the series.
Further back in the field, Racing Bulls-backed driver, Rafaela Ferreira, moved into the top five. Meanwhile, hometown wild card Shi remained in last place, two seconds off the pace of the leader.
With half of the session completed, drivers made their way back to the pit lane to change tyres ahead of their final flying runs.
Kaylee Countryman stopped on track with ten minutes remaining in the session, bringing out the first red flag for F1 Academy. However, the Haas-backed driver was able to get the car going again, bringing it back to the pit lane.
The session resumed swiftly, with drivers eager to set their final qualifying lap times.
Final push laps
Drivers began their final stints with six minutes remaining in the session. Westcott made her way onto the provisional front row, just a tenth off the pace of Alba Larsen. However, Palmowski continued to find time out on track, setting a 2:04.637. A time which is pricing difficult for her rivals to catch.
The fastest driver still managed to go even faster, putting almost a half a second gap between herself and her nearest rival, Larsen. Palmowski truly seems in tune with the car this season, proving herself as a championship threat.
Further back, Felbermayr managed to gain more time, putting herself onto the provisional second row.
The rookies proved to be a challenge for the more experienced drivers, with Natalia Granada finishing with a 2:04.9, in seventh place. The rookie on debut will start from the front row for tomorrow’s Race 1. Alongside her, will be Alpine’s Nina Gademan who finished eighth, starting first tomorrow.
Out front, there was no catching Palmowski, who ended the session fastest of all. The Briton who claimed her maiden pole position will be joined by Larsen and Felbermayr at the front of the field on Sunday.
READ MORE – F1 Academy 2026 Chinese Grand Prix – Qualifying Results
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