F1 ACADEMY · AUSTIN OPENING RACE

Palmowski wins Austin Opening Race for fifth victory of 2026

The Red Bull Racing driver extended her lead over Emma Felbermayr to 63 points after a race interrupted twice by the Safety Car.

Jack Thompson

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Alisha Palmowski claimed her fifth victory of the 2026 F1 Academy season in the Opening Race at the Circuit of the Americas on October 24, 2026.

Nina Gademan took second ahead of Alba Larsen. After Larsen moved ahead of Gademan in a manoeuvre that took her beyond track limits, she was instructed to return the position. Palmowski’s win extended her advantage over Emma Felbermayr in the Drivers’ Standings to 63 points, according to F1 Academy.

Palmowski recovers the lead after the start

Starting from pole, Palmowski was passed by Mercedes driver Payton Westcott on the run to Turn 1. Westcott’s loss of traction on the exit allowed Palmowski to reclaim the lead through Turns 7 and 8. Westcott later ran wide at Turn 9 and dropped to eighth.

A first-lap collision involving Megan Bruce, Rafaela Ferreira and Rachel Robertson brought out the Safety Car. Robertson was forced to retire, and the field was brought together before racing resumed on Lap 4.

Gademan holds second in the final-lap fight

Larsen passed teammate Gademan for second, but the move was investigated after Larsen went beyond track limits. With three laps remaining, contact between Ella Lloyd and Ava Dobson triggered a second Safety Car period; Dobson did not continue.

Larsen was instructed under the Safety Car to give the place back to Gademan. Once racing resumed, Larsen challenged for second on the final lap, but Gademan defended the position. Palmowski made a clean restart and went on to win.

Felbermayr recovers to fifth

Felbermayr climbed from 11th on the grid to finish fifth, behind Lisa Billard, who recorded a career-best fourth for Gatorade. Natalia Granada finished sixth and Westcott seventh.

Esmee Kosterman placed eighth, Ella Stevens ninth and Jade Jacquet completed the top 10, earning her first F1 Academy point. Larsen’s third place was her third consecutive podium, while Gademan recorded her fourth podium in five races.