REVERSE GRID RACE: Palmowski seals 2026 F1 ACADEMY title as Larsen claims maiden victory in Austin
Alisha Palmowski has secured the 2026 F1 ACADEMY Drivers’ title with a remarkable climb from eighth to second in the Reverse Grid Race in Austin, while Alba Larsen converted her pace into a maiden victory.
The Red Bull Racing driver’s runner-up finish was enough to seal the title at the Circuit of the Americas with three races still remaining, as Lisa Billard completed her maiden podium in third.
Palmowski arrived in Austin with a commanding advantage in the Drivers’ Standings but faced the challenge of making her way through the field from eighth on the reverse grid, starting immediately ahead of closest rival Emma Felbermayr. Larsen, meanwhile, emerged from a chaotic opening lap in the lead and controlled the race from the front to secure a breakthrough win.
It was Rafaela Ferreira who led the field away from pole position, retaining the advantage into Turn 1 before coming under pressure from Jade Jacquet. The Williams driver briefly moved ahead during the opening lap, but contact involving Jacquet and Ferreira brought out the Safety Car, with Wild Card driver Alexia Danielsson later making contact with the stricken Williams car.
Larsen capitalised on the incident and Ferreira’s resulting damage to move into the lead, while Palmowski had already climbed to sixth, with Felbermayr following closely behind in seventh.
When racing resumed on Lap 5, Larsen quickly established an advantage running far from the chasing pack. Behind her, Billard swept around the outside of the struggling Ferreira at Turn 1 to claim second, while Palmowski and Felbermayr continued their progress through the field.
The two title rivals passed Nina Gademan before running side-by-side, with Palmowski managing to keep Felbermayr behind. Contact between the Audi and Alpine drivers shortly afterwards gave the Briton some breathing room, while a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for Granada for a starting procedure infringement promoted her into third.
Felbermayr soon passed Ferreira for fourth, leaving just one position between the title contenders. With Larsen continuing to pull away, the battle for second became increasingly crucial. Billard was soon under threat by Palmowski who was firmly within striking distance, knowing another position could prove decisive in securing the title.
The Red Bull Racing driver eventually drew alongside the Gatorade car and completed the overtake, moving into second with Felbermayr still fourth.
Out front, Larsen remained in control, setting the fastest lap on Lap 8 and maintaining a comfortable advantage over Palmowski. The Dane had come agonisingly close to a maiden win in Friday’s Opening Race, unwilling to repeat the same disappointment she created little opportunity for her rivals to challenge.
Behind the leading pair, Billard held third while Felbermayr came under increasing pressure from Gademan in the closing stages. The Audi driver maintained fourth, but with Palmowski comfortably ahead, the title was slipping from her grasp.
Larsen crossed the line to claim her maiden F1 ACADEMY victory, converting fourth on the grid into a commanding win. Palmowski followed in second to become the 2026 F1 ACADEMY champion, with the Briton also becoming the first Campos Racing driver to win the title.
Billard completed the podium in third, securing her maiden top-three finish in her rookie season, while Felbermayr finished fourth ahead of Gademan in fifth.
Home hero Payton Westcott took sixth, with Megan Bruce seventh and Ella Lloyd claiming the final point in eighth.
What’s Next?
With the Drivers’ title decided, attention turns to Sunday’s Feature Race as Alisha Palmowski aims achieve her sixth victory of the season starting from pole. Join us for the final race of Round 5 on October 25, from 12:00-12:30 local time (UTC−5).