Chiara Battig took a record-breaking pole position during the F1 Academy qualifying session at the British Grand Prix.
The Swiss driver sailed to the top of the timing sheets, ahead of her more experienced rivals behind. Alisha Palmowski and Lisa Billard completed the qualifying top three and will start the Feature Race from the front two rows.
History was already made earlier in the day as Wildcard entry and pole sitter, Battig topped the Free practice timing sheets. The 16-year-old became the first wild card entry to ever lead an F1 Academy session since the concept was introduced. Emphasising the young driver’s talent and promise in the sport.
Qualifying gets underway
Alpine’s Nina Gademan, who starts the flying lap times around the iconic venue. The young driver sets the pace early, breaking into the low 2:03s. But the experienced driver was quickly knocked off the top spot by Championship leader Palmowski. The unbeaten qualifier found herself three tents ahead of her rivals.
Following the first flying lap, Campos Racing occupy the top three spots, showing their pace potential at the British GP.
However, Gademan once more sets a flying lap time, sailing into the lead of the session. Narrowly behind her was rookie Battig. After topping the practice session earlier in the day, the Swiss driver found herself two tenths behind her experienced rivals.
With 19 minutes remaining in the session, drivers made their way into the pit lane for the end of the first qualifying stint.
After a short break in the pit lane, the field re-emerged onto the circuit, ready to set pivotal flying laps for the weekend.
Final 10 minutes
Lisa Billard comes out of the pit lane to set the first flying lap to challenge Gademan. The Gatorade-backed driver set a 2:02.180. Three purple sectors saw the French driver go six tenths faster than her rivals.
But Battig’s pace looked incredibly promising. The Wella Professionals driver became the first to break into the 2:01s, going two tenths faster than Billard.
Battig looks to break a record and become the first-ever wildcard driver on pole position. Making a major statement in the rookies first ever F1 Academy race.
Meanwhile, Championship leader Alisha Palmowski appeared to be struggling for pace. As the session ticked down to five minutes remaining, the Red Bull-backed driver was down in 12th, a second behind Battig’s fastest lap.
However, a flying lap time moved her up to second, two tenths behind the rookie.
Elsewhere in the field, Rachel Robertson secured a provisional fourth place, six tenths behind Battig.
In the final two minutes, it appeared that no one had an answer to Battig’s blistering pace out front.
Yellow flags were brought out in the final minute of the session; however, they were quickly dissipated. Due to Esmee Kostermann’s spin, however, she continues racing with no damage sustained to her car or any on-track barriers.
Battig pits before the chequered flag, confident that her time was enough to take pole position. But as the grid continued their lap times, no one was able to match her time. Or even make significant improvements on their own time. Thus crowning Battig as the youngest-ever F1 Academy pole sitter in the series history. The session marked just her second time in an F1 Academy car, and the Swiss driver secured a convincing pole position.
Meanwhile, Championship leader Palmowski will start in second, eager to win yet another race in 2026. But this time she will need to keep her fast-charging rival behind to run away with a home race victory.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s reverse grid race, former championship leader Felbermayr will line up on pole position. Next to her will be fellow F1 Academy veteran Gademan, as the pair look to battle for a first win at Silverstone.
Discussion about this post