Opens in a new tab

PALMOWSKI Takes Dutch GP Pole; FLORESCU POTOLEA Impresses On Debut

click to enlarge

August 23, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • ALISHA PALMOWSKI mastered treacherous wet-to-dry conditions at Zandvoort, posting a decisive 1:40.911 to claim pole and extend her championship lead. The title leader starts eighth in Saturday’s reverse-grid race.
  • ALBA LARSEN delivered her strongest 2026 qualifying, securing second with coaching from 2025 vice-champion Maya Weug paying dividends. The Ferrari junior missed pole by under nine-tenths in rapidly evolving conditions.
  • Wildcard ZOE FLORESCU POTOLEA stunned with seventh overall in her F1 Academy debut weekend with Hitech, showing consistent pace throughout qualifying. Her second-fastest lap earned front-row honors for the reverse-grid race.
  • ELLA LLOYD’s bold wet-tyre gamble briefly put her on provisional pole but ultimately backslid to 12th as slick-shod rivals capitalized on the drying circuit. Championship contender NATALIA GRANADA secured third.
  • MEGAN BRUCE claimed reverse-grid pole after qualifying eighth overall, while home favorite NINA GADEMAN showed strong pace to qualify fifth despite changing conditions eliminating her Friday practice advantage.

UPCOMING:

  • F1 Academy Dutch GP Race 1 – August 23, 2026, 14:35 local time at Zandvoort
  • F1 Academy Dutch GP Race 2 (Feature Race) – August 24, 2026 at Zandvoort

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

GRRL! summary based upon reporting by RACERS originally appearing on www.racers-behindthehelmet.com