BBC Sport
Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 01:18 AM1 min readVerified Wire
Alisha Palmowski Crowned F1 Academy Champion After Austin Finale
Archived syndication image from BBC Sport Direct Publisher Wire
Wire Chronicle • Verified Syndicated Dispatch
Britain's Alisha Palmowski was crowned F1 Academy champion on Sunday, wrapping up the title at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The 19-year-old delivered a commanding performance in the season finale to secure the championship with a race remaining, marking a breakthrough moment for British female single-seater racing.
The F1 Academy, now in its third season, has become the premier pathway for young women into top-tier motorsport, and Palmowski's ascent underscores the series' growing influence. Her victory follows a tightly contested battle across eight rounds, where consistency and raw pace set her apart from a competitive field that included rising stars from across Europe and North America.
Series managing director Susie Wolff hailed the result as 'a testament to the talent and determination coming through the academy', while Palmowski told BBC Sport that 'every lap was a step towards proving what we can achieve'. Team principals and fellow competitors took to social media to congratulate the new champion, highlighting the inspirational nature of her triumph.
With the championship decided, attention now turns to the off-season testing programme and the 2026 F1 Academy calendar, where Palmowski will be among the favorites to defend her title. The victory also strengthens Britain's footprint in feeder series for Formula 1, potentially opening doors for a full-time seat in a development programme or a future test session with a works team.