ALISHA PALMOWSKI Rings Nasdaq Bell as Rokt Doubles Down on F1 Academy Investment

September 3, 2019

by Kanika Talwar // from wwd.com

• ALISHA PALMOWSKI rang the opening Nasdaq bell alongside Rokt’s Elizabeth Buchanan, cementing a partnership that goes beyond typical sponsorship flash. The 18-year-old Red Bull F1 Academy driver is getting the full treatment – from sitting at Red Bull’s F175 launch table to meeting Max Verstappen. This isn’t just ceremonial; Rokt’s backing means PALMOWSKI can focus purely on racing without the constant fundraising hustle that derails so many promising careers.
• The Rokt partnership represents exactly the kind of sustained investment women’s racing desperately needs. While PALMOWSKI acknowledges she’s “one of the fortunate ones” who hasn’t faced overt discrimination, she’s clear-eyed about the broader challenges. The company’s “Driven Beyond Limits” series highlights women engineers at Oracle Red Bull, creating visibility across the entire motorsports ecosystem – not just drivers but the technical talent that makes teams win.
• PALMOWSKI’s trajectory from karting in 2015 to Red Bull Academy shows what’s possible with proper support. The GB4 Championship vice-champion made her F1 Academy debut as a wildcard in Qatar, finishing fifth in her first race. Now she’s eyeing Shanghai and the Vegas street circuit for her full campaign. Her confidence that “it’s a matter of when, not if” a woman reaches F1 isn’t naive optimism – it’s strategic thinking backed by serious resources.

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