Alisha Palmowski crowned 2026 F1 Academy champion as Alba Larsen wins maiden race in Austin

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Alisha Palmowski has been crowned the 2026 F1 Academy Drivers’ champion after recovering from eighth to second in the Austin Reverse Grid Race, with Ferrari’s Alba Larsen taking her maiden victory in the series. Palmowski entered the race holding a 63-point advantage over her closest rival, Emma Felbermayr, and the result was enough to secure the title with three rounds remaining.

The race began with Reverse Grid polesitter Rafaela Ferreira retaining the lead. Early Safety Car conditions followed contact involving Racing Bulls driver Jade Jacquet and Wild Card Alexia Danielsson, who hit the affected Williams car.

Larsen capitalized on the disruption to take the lead and then controlled the race from the restart. Gatorade’s Lisa Billard moved into second, overtaking Ferreira’s damaged car around the outside of Turn 1, setting the stage for the battle behind the front group.

Palmowski and Felbermayr worked their way through the field while exchanging positions with other contenders. The Briton gained the upper hand as both passed Nina Gademan, and a penalty for third-place Natalia Granada for a starting procedure infringement promoted Palmowski into P3. Palmowski then overtook Billard to move into second, putting her in the strongest possible position to secure the championship.

Larsen maintained her advantage to win by 2.3 seconds, earning her first F1 Academy victory. Palmowski finished second to become the series’ fourth champion, while Billard completed the podium and recorded her maiden top-three finish.

Felbermayr crossed the line in fourth ahead of Gademan in fifth, with Mercedes’ Payton Westcott taking sixth. Megan Bruce finished seventh, and Ella Lloyd claimed the final point in eighth.

With the Drivers’ title decided, attention now shifts to Sunday’s Feature Race at 12:00 local time. Palmowski will start on pole as she looks to add to her 2026 win tally, with the season storylines now focused on her final-race run rather than the championship outcome.