F1 Academy 2026: Alisha Palmowski grabs pole in Shanghai โ a massive start to the season
Well, here we go. The 2026 season of F1 Academy has kicked off with a bang, and wow, what an opener it's been โ it's absolutely firing on all cylinders. We're in the thick of it here in Shanghai, and after Friday's qualifying, we're set for a season that could be something truly special. Forget boring driving and predictable results โ these guys are fighting for every single inch of tarmac.
Palmowski delivered when it counted
If anyone was keen to get out of the starting blocks, it was Alisha Palmowski. The Brit from the Red Bull program has been buzzing around the top a few times, but it was yesterday that she really nailed it. She snared her career-first pole position with a scorching lap time of 2:04.182. This wasn't just any pole. It was a statement. She smashed her competitors by over four-tenths โ and in the Formula 1 world, that's an absolute eternity. It sends a clear message to the whole field: Palmowski isn't here to make up the numbers, she's here to win.
Right up her tail is Ferrari's Alba Larsen. Gee, this young lady looks sharp. She actually held provisional pole for over half the session, and with a second-place finish, she's proven her rookie year last year was no fluke. It was tight, it was intense, and it bodes well for the rest of the weekend.
Danish driver Alba Larsen: From talent to title contender?
You can't talk about this season without having a good look at our own, Alba Larsen. The 17-year-old Larsen, driving for the Ferrari family, has been touted as one of Denmark's biggest hopes for a while now. After last season, where she snuck into the top five a few times, expectations were sky-high. And she's not disappointing. Putting pressure on a Red Bull driver like Palmowski in the season's first real duel and landing second in qualifying is classy. It launches her straight into the spotlight as one of the drivers everyone's watching when championship points are on the line.
New names, big dreams, and a massive partnership
The 2026 field is a potent cocktail of seasoned names and hungry rookies. Alongside Palmowski and Larsen, we've got Emma Felbermayr from Audi, who qualified in third, and a swag of young talents knocking on the door. The rookies showed their teeth right from the get-go. Payton Westcott in Mercedes colours was the fastest rookie and qualified fourth, while Lisa Billard and Natalia Granada also put their hands up.
Speaking of Granada, she's racing this year for one of the most talked-about teams on the grid. SEPHORA has stepped in as an official partner of F1 Academy and has taken the Spanish rookie under its wing in a car run by PREMA. The car's a real head-turner โ a wild creation with the brand's signature black and white stripes โ and it marks an important step for the sport. Susie Wolff, the series' managing director, put it perfectly: This is about so much more than beauty. It's about challenging outdated stereotypes and showing that motorsport is for everyone.
The LEGO's arrived, and we're stoked
While the cars are roaring on the track, we can grab a bit of the action at home too. LEGO has taken the plunge into F1 Academy for the first time, releasing the awesome 77258 F1 ACADEMY Race Car in their Speed Champions series. This isn't just a set; it's a recognition that the women in F1 Academy deserve their spot in our living rooms. The model is built to 1:1 scale with the real cars, complete with a minifigure, helmet, and spanner. Perfect for collectors and young guns dreaming of the tarmac.
The big difference with the LEGO F1 cars? The Academy version is a tad smaller, just like in real life, and has a more squared-off rear end that matches the actual race cars. It's the details that count.
What can we expect over the weekend?
With Palmowski on pole for Sunday's main race, we're set for some serious drama. But don't forget Saturday's Race 1, where the top eight from qualifying are reversed. That means Nina Gademan from Alpine starts from pole in the first race. This is where the young guns can really score some cheap points and shake up the standings. Add to that the Chinese wildcard driver Shi Wei, who's trying to impress on home turf again this year.
One thing's for sure: there's plenty of fuel on the fire in F1 Academy. And with a Dane right up the front of the field, there's every reason to be glued to the screen this weekend. Whether you're into the big emotions, the tactical play, or just want to see the stars of the future unfold, this is where it's at. Bring it on!
- Saturday 14 March: Race 1 (with reversed grid) โ expect crazy overtaking!
- Sunday 15 March: Race 2 โ Palmowski on pole, hunting for the win.
- Danish hope: Alba Larsen starts from second in Race 2. Keep an eye out!