ELLA LLOYD and ALISHA PALMOWSKI Lead F1 ACADEMY Shanghai Opener Contenders

March 11, 2026

• ELLA LLOYD enters as top favorite after rookie season fourth-place finish with one win, four podiums. McLaren junior’s consistency strong but one-lap qualifying pace remains weakness with single top-three grid slot.
• ALISHA PALMOWSKI brings raw speed as Red Bull driver but on-track incidents cost podiums in 2025. Won Shanghai Race 1 last year; both she and LLOYD chase crucial Race 2 victory that’s crowned every series champion.
• NINA GADEMAN (Alpine) and ALBA LARSEN (Ferrari) lead second-tier contenders. Larsen finished seventh without podium but qualified third on China debut. EMMA FELBERMAYR (Audi) made significant single-seater progress as rookie.
• Eleven rookies include test-topper ELLA STEVENS (McLaren Oxagon) and Wild Cards PAYTON WESTCOTT (Mercedes), LISA BILLARD (Gatorade), ESMEE KOSTERMAN (Lego Racing). Four debut in Shanghai: Stevens, KAYLEE COUNTRYMAN, JADE JACQUET, NATALIA GRANADA.
• PREMA Racing’s dynasty threatened despite three Teams’ titles, 18 wins, 44 podiums. Fielding three rookies creates disadvantage versus experienced Campos, MP Motorsport, Rodin lineups in closest-ever championship battle.

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