F1 Academy 2026 Opens in Shanghai with 18 Drivers Across Six Teams

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March 12, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • F1 Academy’s 2026 season launches in Shanghai March 13-15 with 18 drivers across six teams including MATHILDA PAATZ (Aston Martin/Prema), PAYTON WESTCOTT (Mercedes/Prema), and ALISHA PALMOWSKI (Red Bull/Campos).
  • Weekend format includes Friday practice and qualifying, followed by dual 13-lap races Saturday and Sunday. Global broadcast coverage spans F1 TV, YouTube, Sky Sports UK, and Apple TV US.
  • McLaren backs dual drivers ELLA LLOYD and ELLA STEVENS (Oxagon support) at Rodin Motorsport, while Ferrari supports ALBA LARSEN at MP Motorsport and Alpine backs NINA GADEMAN.
  • Chinese wildcard WEI SHI joins Hitech with Juss Sports backing alongside AVA DOBSON (American Express) and RACHEL ROBERTSON (Puma), representing local market expansion for the series.

UPCOMING:

  • F1 Academy Round 1 – Shanghai, China – March 13-15, 2026

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

MATHILDA PAATZ PAYTON WESTCOTT ALISHA PALMOWSKI ELLA LLOYD ELLA STEVENS ALBA LARSEN NINA GÅDEMAN AVA DOBSON RACHEL ROBERTSON

all-female f1 academy, campos racing, prema racing, shanghai international circuit

GRRL! summary based upon reporting by Lydia Mee originally appearing on www.motorsport.com