Alisha Palmowski secured her fifth victory of the 2026 Formula 1® ACADEMY season by winning the Opening Race in Austin, Texas. This result further extended her lead in the championship standings, bringing her closer to the title as the season progresses.
Despite losing the initial lead at the start to Payton Westcott, Palmowski regained the front position at Turn 9 following Westcott’s slower pace in Sector 1. The race saw an early Safety Car period triggered by contact involving Rachel Robertson, Rafaela Ferreira, and Megan Bruce. Alba Larsen briefly overtook her teammate Nina Gademan but was instructed to return the position after exceeding track limits. Palmowski managed to maintain her lead through two Safety Car restarts, ultimately crossing the finish line first and increasing her championship advantage to 63 points.
The podium was completed by Nina Gademan, an Alpine junior driver, who finished second, and Alba Larsen representing Ferrari, who took third place. Lisa Billard achieved her best result of the season by finishing fourth, followed by Emma Felbermayr in fifth, who remains one of Palmowski’s closest challengers. Payton Westcott, after losing the lead, dropped to seventh place following a mistake after Palmowski’s overtake. Jade Jacquet scored her first points in the series by finishing tenth. Rafaela Ferreira will start from pole position in the upcoming Reverse Grid Race, aiming for her first podium, while Palmowski will start eighth, one place ahead of Felbermayr.
The race in Austin highlighted Palmowski’s ability to recover and control the race pace under pressure, especially through the disruptions caused by Safety Car deployments. Her consistent performance this season has put her in a strong position to potentially secure the championship in the next event. The Reverse Grid Race will present a different challenge, with Palmowski starting mid-pack but still holding a points advantage over Felbermayr.
Other notable performances included Alba Larsen’s aggressive driving and Nina Gademan’s steady pace to secure the runner-up spot. The early incident involving Robertson, Ferreira, and Bruce affected the race dynamics, but the field settled into a competitive rhythm after the Safety Car periods. The race also saw several drivers, including Jade Jacquet, make progress in the points standings.
With the championship lead now at 63 points, Palmowski’s focus will be on maintaining consistency and managing the challenges posed by the Reverse Grid format. Rafaela Ferreira’s pole position for the next race adds an interesting element, as she seeks to claim her first podium finish in the series. The Austin event underscored the competitive depth of the 2026 Formula 1® ACADEMY season and the ongoing battle among emerging talents.
The outcome of the Opening Race in Austin provides a clear snapshot of the current championship landscape, with Palmowski extending her lead but still facing challenges from her closest rivals. The upcoming Reverse Grid Race will be a key moment in the season, offering opportunities for several drivers to make significant gains.