Opens in a new tab

ALISHA PALMOWSKI crowned 2026 F1 Academy champion at COTA

click to enlarge

October 26, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • ALISHA PALMOWSKI, 20, clinched the 2026 F1 Academy title at COTA with a race to spare, becoming the youngest and only second British driver to win the championship.
  • PALMOWSKI dominated the season with five wins, including a stunning 10.9-second Feature Race victory in wet Montreal conditions that drew Max Verstappen comparisons from fans.
  • Title rival EMMA FELBERMAYR of Rodin Motorsport, backed by Audi F1, secured 25 points at COTA but can no longer mathematically catch PALMOWSKI heading into Las Vegas.
  • A Feature Race retirement at COTA after contact with ALBA LARSEN denied PALMOWSKI a clean sweep, but her Race 1 win and reverse-grid P2 banked enough points to seal the title.
  • PALMOWSKI’s path included winning the 2022 Ginetta Junior Scholarship — only the second female driver after JAMIE CHADWICK to claim it — which launched her into single-seaters.

UPCOMING:

  • F1 Academy final round, Las Vegas — November 2026 (exact date not stated, found Oct 30, 2026)

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

CHIARA BATTIG PAYTON WESTCOTT JAMIE CHADWICK EMMA FELBERMAYR SUSIE WOLFF ALBA LARSEN ALISHA PALMOWSKI

all-female f1 academy, campos racing, circuit of the americas, red bull academy

GRRL! summary based upon reporting by Astrid Carr originally appearing on redbull.com