‘I knew it was now or never’ – Palmowski reflects on crucial opening-lap battle in Austin

Alisha Palmowski's fifth victory of the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season was not quite as straightforward as the result might suggest. Between a difficult start, two Safety Car interruptions and the rather unexpected challenge of the setting sun, the Red Bull Racing driver admitted she had plenty to contend with on her way to victory in the Opening Race in Austin.

Starting from pole position, Palmowski lost the lead to Payton Westcott into Turn 1, although the Mercedes driver's wide exit offered her an opportunity to reclaim the advantage just a few corners later.

“Obviously, it was not how I wanted to execute the race,” Palmowski reflected. “I need to address the race starts with the team because we didn’t get a good launch off the line and lost the lead initially, but Payton went quite deep into Turn 1 which gave me the opportunity to get the undercut on her."

“I knew it was now or never if I wanted to get the race lead back, so fair play and respect to Payton because I think we both were very fair and gave each other plenty of space, so it was great racing.”

Once back in front, Palmowski looked increasingly comfortable, although the Briton was still getting to grips with the Circuit of the Americas. With F1 ACADEMY last having raced in Austin in 2023, none of the current grid had previously competed at the venue in the series.

Unlike her closest challengers, Alba Larsen and Nina Gademan, Palmowski had also missed the opportunity to test at the circuit two weeks earlier, leaving her to learn the intricacies of the track throughout the race weekend.

“It’s still a very new circuit to me, and the two drivers behind me were here testing two weeks ago whereas I didn’t come, so I’m still learning with every lap that I’m doing,” she explained. The setting sun only complicated matters further, with Palmowski revealing that visibility had become so poor through the final sector that she was effectively relying on instinct.

READ MORE: OPENING RACE: Palmowski claims her fifth victory of the season in commanding Austin drive

“It was very difficult with the low sun,” she admitted. “I couldn’t actually see the final two corners so I was just driving a bit off of instinct so that added to the challenge, but overall obviously I’m very happy.”

There was little respite elsewhere in the race. Two Safety Car periods repeatedly brought the field back together, the latter following contact between Ella Lloyd and Ava Dobson on Lap 10.

With her advantage over Larsen and Gademan wiped away, Palmowski was left to negotiate a final-lap restart, hardly an ideal prospect after spending much of the race trying to establish some breathing room.

“Stressful with the Safety Cars as well, the last lap shootout after the final Safety Car was something my heart didn’t need at that point,” she admitted. “But I’m really glad we controlled it well.”

Palmowski made a clean getaway when racing resumed, while the two MP Motorsport teammates became occupied with their own battle for second. The Briton took the chequered flag for her fifth victory of the season, extending her advantage over Emma Felbermayr to 63 points in the Drivers' Standings.

READ MORE: 'I have a good shot at a race win’ - Westcott encouraged after P2 in Austin Qualifying

The result also brought Palmowski within reach of securing the 2026 Drivers' title in Saturday's Reverse Grid Race. Though despite her commanding position, the format has hardly been her strongest suit this season.

Of the 161 points Palmowski has accumulated across the three race formats, just eight have come from Reverse Grid Races, compared to 153 from the Opening and Feature Races.

Palmowski was well aware of that disparity, acknowledging that there was work to be done both in the car and behind the scenes before Saturday's race.

“It is damage-limitation for me, the reverse grid,” she said. “There’s less points on offer, I’m fully aware of that, so I want to get up as many places and score as many points as possible but it’s just important for me to finish.

“I’ll be considered in what I do but we’ll review with the team tonight and come up with a plan.” Palmowski will have her first opportunity to secure the title on Saturday, although she will need to extend her advantage over Felbermayr by another five points to guarantee it before Sunday's Feature Race.

Nevertheless, there was little indication that the prospect of wrapping up the title early would persuade her to abandon the approach that has served her so well throughout the season.

“I think I’ll just approach the race tomorrow the same way, to be honest,” she said. “There’s another opportunity on Sunday, an even bigger opportunity with a lot more points on offer.

“If we do it tomorrow, brilliant, if we don’t, we’ll give it another go on Sunday.”