Alisha Palmowski clinches 2026 F1 Academy title as Emma Larsen wins maiden race in Austin
Palmowski’s consistent season earns her the championship, while Larsen celebrates her first victory at the Circuit of the Americas.
Alisha Palmowski has been crowned the 2026 F1 Academy champion after a dramatic weekend at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. The Polish driver secured the title by finishing second in the sprint race, climbing from eighth on the grid to the podium and sealing enough points to stay ahead of her nearest rivals.
Emma Larsen, the Dutch rookie who had been battling for a breakthrough all season, captured her maiden F1 Academy victory in the feature race. Starting from fourth on the grid, Larsen executed a flawless race‑craft display, overtaking two rivals on the opening laps and then holding off a late charge from the experienced American driver, Maya Patel, to take the checkered flag.
Palmowski’s championship win caps a season in which she amassed three race wins, five podiums and a total of 210 points, edging out Larsen by a slim 12‑point margin. The Polish driver’s consistency—never finishing lower than fifth in any race—proved decisive in a tightly contested calendar that visited classic European circuits as well as the new American venue.
For Indian fans, the Austin weekend will be broadcast live on FanCode with a start time of 3:30 pm IST for the sprint race and 6:00 pm IST for the feature race. The commentary team will provide insights into the emerging talent pool, and the broadcast will include a special segment on how the F1 Academy is creating pathways for women drivers in motorsport, a story that resonates with the growing interest in diversity initiatives across Indian sports.
Looking ahead, the 2026 F1 Academy will conclude with its final round at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi later this year. Palmowski’s championship will likely boost her prospects for a potential promotion to a Formula 2 seat, while Larsen’s breakthrough win positions her as a strong candidate for a full‑time drive in the senior series. Both drivers will be closely watched by teams scouting talent for the 2027 season.
Source: Formula1.com