ALISHA PALMOWSKI: F1 Academy champ with Manilow lyrics on her helmet

October 26, 2026

• ALISHA PALMOWSKI sealed the 2026 F1 Academy title with a stunning comeback drive from eighth to second in Austin, winning five of 11 races and dominating as a second-year driver.
• The Manchester-born Red Bull driver carries Barry Manilow lyrics on her helmet — “We dreamers have our ways” — after meeting the singer in Leeds; she credits the motto with her championship luck.
• PALMOWSKI cited 2025 champion DORIANE PIN’s successful F1 car test as inspiration, noting she raced Pin last year and believes she operates at a comparable level.
• Her F1 Academy title earns a fully funded step up the ladder, likely FREC or GB3 in 2027, with continued Red Bull backing the goal as she chips toward F1.
• LELLA LOMBARDI’s 1976 grand prix start remains the last by a woman in F1 — a milestone PALMOWSKI and her peers are determined to consign to history.

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