Alisha Palmowski took the first pole position of the 2026 F1 Academy season. In qualifying for the Chinese GP, the competitor representing Red Bull started her second year on the grid on a high.
Read more F1: Mercedes negotiates purchase of multi-million stake in Alpine
Last year, the Briton came close numerous times to securing the grid’s position of honor. However, in Shanghai, the competitor set a time of 2min04s182 to take the lead of the starting pack. Sharing the front row is Alba Larsen, while Emma Felberayr completes the top-3.
The start of the session had to be briefly delayed, but as soon as the lights went out, the drivers quickly left the pits for 30 minutes of activity. The first laps, as usual, were reserved for warming up the tires and adapting to the asphalt’s grip levels.
Mathilda Paatz, a rookie wearing Aston Martin colors, started the time trials in front, while Mercedes’ Payton Westcott followed closely. However, the rookie duo was surpassed by Palmowski and Felbermayr, with the Audi driver clocking 2min05s362.
Subsequently, Alisha moved into first, but Alba Larsen managed to beat her opponent for the top of the table, staying there for much of the session. Shortly after, however, a red flag was necessary because Haas’ Kaylee Countryman was running slow and stopped on the track.
Read more F1: Find out how to watch the Sprint and qualifying for the Chinese GP
She soon managed to get the car moving and returned to the pitlane, but the interruption meant the entire pack would have to complete one more lap with less than ten minutes to the checkered flag, adding pressure.
Palmowski was the first to get her hands on the provisional pole and despite making a small mistake, had set the fastest lap of the session. Westcott also began to show she was strong and in the fight for the position of honor, but without being able to improve in sectors 2 and 3, she remained in third place.
Alisha improved her lap even further and became unbeatable in the final seconds, taking pole ahead of Larsen and Felbermayr, with Westcott in fourth and Rafaela Ferreira, the Brazilian from Racing Bulls, in fifth. Payton had her lap time provisionally canceled, but after the session it was reinstated and she starts fourth.
In the grid reversal for race 1, Nina Gademan starts from pole. Rafa will start fourth and in both race 1 and race 2, she achieved her best qualifying result in F1 Academy.
Read more F1: Briatore admits dissatisfaction with Alpine performance
