Cowboy hats, incredible overtakes, and a championship victory—motorsport does not get any better than this. With three races still left on the calendar, Alisha Palmowski secured the F1 Academy title in Austin, making her the youngest to do so at 20 years old, and the second British driver to claim the crown. It has been a whirlwind season for the Campos Racing driver, dominating since the second round in Canada, and a perfect finale to her time racing as part of F1 Academy.
Since the very start of the year, Palmowski has shown exactly why this championship belongs to her. Shanghai saw her maiden pole position and she came second in the feature race, giving her a good start to her campaign, just 6 points behind Emma Felbermayr. However, two victories in Montreal put her firmly ahead of the pack in the standings, and soon the real race would be for everyone else to catch up with her. Stellar performances again at Silverstone and Zandvoort, winning both feature races, meant that Palmowski entered the race weekend in Austin 48 points ahead and with the coveted title at her fingertips. After securing pole position in qualifying, she was able to convert it into a victory in the opening race despite the drive being “stressful,” as she described it over the team radio. But it was not over just yet, and it all boiled down to the reverse grid race, where Palmowski gave a masterclass in overtaking. She climbed from P8 to cross the line in P2, snatching those vital points that would crown her the 2026 F1 Academy championship.
However, the season has not been without its challenges and mishaps. From the start, Palmowski faced intense competition from fellow drivers Emma Felbermayr, Nina Gademan, and Alba Larsen, all of whom have won races this year. With such fierce competitors on the track beside her, the young Brit had her work cut out for her already. Then, during the reverse grid race in Montreal, Palmowski and fellow Campos teammate Megan Bruce made contact on lap 13, which resulted in her finishing the race outside of the points, and a similar misfortune struck at Zandvoort when the car stalled at the start of that weekend’s reverse grid. The feature race was no walk in the park either, as wildcard entry and pole sitter Chiara Bättig put pressure on Palmowski right up until the chequered flag.
Throughout it all, regardless of the ups and downs, Palmowski continued to deliver amazing performances in the car, and remained levelheaded and calm each weekend. This combination of skill and attitude leaves no room for doubt as to why she has come out on top this year.
So, what does the future look like for our new champion? F1 Academy drivers are not permitted to race for more than 2 seasons, nor can they return if they win the championship. As 2026 is Palmowski’s second season, her total dedication to achieving what she has is all the more poignant when remembering that this chance was not going to present itself again. This commitment and fervour should hopefully carry her onto exciting future projects.
In 2024 she tested for Formula E with Envision Racing, so perhaps there is a possibility to progress there, like 2024 F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling did, who is Nissan’s current simulator driver. Pulling also competes in the GB3 Championship: another option for Palmowski, which would be a good step up from Formula 4 regulations.
Only time will tell if the opportunities present themselves, though there is still markedly a lack thereof for women in motorsport. For example, 2023 champion Marta García has been outspoken about the reality of her career after F1 Academy and how winning does not guarantee a seat or sponsors. Most women in the industry, whether in the car or in the pit lane, have to work twice as hard as their male counterparts to be considered seriously.
There is no doubt, however, that Alisha Palmowski will go on to do great things in her career, and it will be exciting to see where racing takes her next. Whether she continues in single seater series or tries her hand at endurance racing, there will certainly be a community of dedicated supporters behind her. After such a fantastic season, Palmowski has a lot to be proud of and can celebrate this championship victory with zeal.
2026-08-23 Motorsport, Großer Preis der Niederlande 2026, F1 Academy STP 2848.jpg by Steffen Prößdorf is licensed by CC-BY-SA 4.0.
