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ALISHA PALMOWSKI Claims Maiden F1 Academy Pole; GADEMAN Leads Reverse Grid

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March 13, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • ALISHA PALMOWSKI dominated Shanghai qualifying with a commanding four-tenth margin over Ferrari’s ALBA LARSEN, securing her maiden F1 Academy pole after controlling both practice and qualifying sessions with decisive late improvements.
  • NINA GADEMAN’s eighth-place finish earned the Dutch driver reverse-grid pole for Saturday’s opener, mirroring her 2025 advantage while rookie NATALIA GRANADA impressed with seventh in her first-ever single-seater qualifying.
  • EMMA FELBERMAYR completed the top three ahead of PAYTON WESTCOTT and RAFAELA FERREIRA, while LISA BILLARD’s fastest final sector secured sixth after KAYLEE COUNTRYMAN’s red flag briefly interrupted final runs.
  • AVA DOBSON narrowly missed reverse-grid pole by a tenth with ninth, while ELLA LLOYD’s tenth couldn’t improve post-red flag as the 2026 championship kicks off Saturday at 13:45 local time.

UPCOMING:

  • F1 Academy Race 1 – Shanghai International Circuit – Saturday 13:45 local time

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

ALISHA PALMOWSKI ALBA LARSEN NINA GÅDEMAN NATALIA GRANADA EMMA FELBERMAYR PAYTON WESTCOTT RAFAELA FERREIRA LISA BILLARD KAYLEE COUNTRYMAN AVA DOBSON ELLA LLOYD

all-female f1 academy, autodromo enzo e dino ferrari, oracle red bull racing, shanghai international circuit

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