FELBERMAYR Wins Shanghai Thriller as LARSEN Crashes from Lead

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March 15, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • EMMA FELBERMAYR executed a defensive masterclass on the final lap to secure her second F1 Academy victory, holding off Red Bull-backed ALISHA PALMOWSKI through strategic positioning at Shanghai’s closing corner.
  • ALBA LARSEN dominated from pole until a catastrophic snap oversteer at Turn 16 sent her into gravel, plummeting from first to eighth and surrendering certain victory in the race’s closing stages.
  • Rookie PAYTON WESTCOTT impressed with brave three-wide battles for second position, ultimately securing her first podium finish in third after staying clear of multiple mid-pack incidents including JADE JACQUET’s collision with ESMEE KOSTERMAN.
  • ELLA LLOYD capitalized on mistakes from RAFAELA FERREIRA and LISA BILLARD, overtaking both to claim fifth position while McLaren-backed NINA GADEMAN held fourth against Lloyd’s persistent pressure throughout the 13-lap contest.

UPCOMING:

  • F1 Academy Round 2: Montreal, Canada – May 22-24, 2026

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

GRRL! summary based upon reporting by Teagan Strachan originally appearing on www.dive-bomb.com