F1 ACADEMY: Palmowski closes in on title with Opening Race victory in Austin

Alisha Palmowski put one hand on the 2026 F1 ACADEMY title as she secured her fifth win of the campaign in the Opening Race in Austin.

The Red Bull Racing driver overcame opening lap drama, losing the lead off the line to Payton Westcott. However, a poor Sector 1 from the Mercedes driver opened the door for Palmowski to retake the position at Turn 9.

Contact between Rachel Robertson, Rafaela Ferreira and Megan Bruce necessitated an early Safety Car, with Palmowski holding firm on the restart. Behind her, Alba Larsen overtook team mate Nina Gademan and chased down the Briton for the lead. However, the Ferrari driver was eventually told to give the place back after completing the move off-track.

Out front, Palmowski held firm despite a second Safety Car restart on the final lap to take the victory and extend her lead to 63 points, with Alpine junior Gademan and Ferrari’s Larsen completing the podium.

Lisa Billard claimed her best result of the season in fourth ahead of title contender Emma Felbermayr. Natalia Granada was sixth, followed by Payton Westcott, who dropped to seventh after a mistake following Palmowski’s opening lap overtake.

Esmee Kosterman finished eighth in the LEGO Racing car ahead of Ella Stevens, while Williams’ Jade Jacquet took her first points in the series in P10.

With this victory, Palmowski could be crowned Champion in Saturday evening’s Reverse Grid Race, which takes place at 1800 local time. The Briton will line up in P8, one place ahead of her nearest rival Felbermayr. Her Campos Racing teammate Rafaela Ferreira will be hunting down her maiden podium, as the Racing Bulls driver goes from Reverse Grid pole.

For a full report of the F1 ACADEMY Opening Race in Austin, head to the series’ official website here.