F1 Academy 2026: Alisha Palmowski grabs pole in Shanghai - a wild start to the season
Here we go then. The 2026 season of F1 Academy has kicked off with a bang, and honestly, what an opening round it's been. 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 drives and predictable results - every single metre of tarmac is being fiercely contested.
Palmowski delivered when it mattered
If anyone was eager to get out of the starting blocks, it was Alisha Palmowski. The Brit from the Red Bull programme has been buzzing around the top a few times before, but yesterday it all finally clicked. She snatched her first career pole position with a blistering lap time of 2:04.182. This wasn't just a pole. It was a statement. She obliterated the competition by over four-tenths of a second - and in the world of Formula 1, that's an absolute age. It sends a clear message to the entire grid: Palmowski isn't here to make up the numbers, she's here to win.
Right on her tail is Ferrari's Alba Larsen. Wow, this young woman looks seriously sharp. She actually held the provisional pole for over half the session, and with this second place, she's proven last year wasn't just a flash in the pan from a rookie. It was tight, it was intense, and it bodes incredibly well for the rest of the weekend.
Danish driver Alba Larsen: From talent to title contender?
You can't talk about this season without dwelling a bit on our own, Alba Larsen. The 17-year-old Larsen, driving for the Ferrari family, has been tipped as one of Denmark's biggest hopes for a while now. After last season, where she consistently sneaked into the top 5, expectations were sky-high. And she's not disappointing. Putting the pressure on a Red Bull driver like Palmowski in the season's first real duel and landing second place in qualifying is pure class. It catapults her right into the spotlight as one of the key drivers to watch when championship points are up for grabs.
New names, big dreams, and a powerhouse partnership
The 2026 grid is a volatile mix of seasoned names and hungry rookies. Alongside Palmowski and Larsen, we have Emma Felbermayr from Audi, who qualified third, and a host of young talents knocking on the door. The rookies showed their teeth right from the start. Payton Westcott in Mercedes colours was the fastest rookie, qualifying fourth, while Lisa Billard and Natalia Granada also made their presence felt.
Speaking of Granada, she's driving this year for one of the most talked-about teams on the grid. SEPHORA has come on board as an official partner of F1 Academy and has taken the Spanish rookie under its wing in a car run by PREMA. The car is hard to miss - a stunning creation featuring the brand's signature black and white stripes - and it marks a significant step for the sport. Susie Wolff, the series' managing director, put it perfectly: it's about much more than beauty. It's about challenging outdated stereotypes and showing that motorsport is for everyone.
The LEGO set is here, and we're loving it
While the cars roar on the track, we can also get a piece of the action at home. LEGO has, for the first time, taken on F1 Academy and released the cool 77258 F1 ACADEMY Race Car in their Speed Champions series. It's not just a set; it's a recognition that the girls in F1 Academy deserve their place in everyone's living rooms. The model is built to 1:1 scale with the real cars, complete with a minifigure, helmet, and wrench. Perfect for collectors and kids alike who dream of the tarmac.
The big difference compared to other LEGO F1 cars? The Academy version is slightly smaller, just like in real life, and features a more angular rear end that matches the actual race cars. It's the details that count.
What can we expect for the weekend?
With Palmowski on pole for Sunday's main race, we're set for some real drama. But don't forget Saturday's Race 1, where the top 8 from qualifying line up in reverse order. That means Alpine's Nina Gademan starts from pole in the first race. This is where the young lions can really score some easy points and shake up the championship standings. Add to that the Chinese wildcard driver Shi Wei, who is trying again this year to impress on home turf.
One thing's for sure: The fire is burning bright in F1 Academy. And with a Dane right up at the front of the field, there's every reason to keep your eyes glued to the screen this weekend. Whether you're into high emotion, tactical battles, or just want to see the stars of the future unfold, this is where it's at. Bring it on!
- Saturday 14th March: Race 1 (with reverse grid) - expect wild overtakes!
- Sunday 15th March: Race 2 - Palmowski on pole, the fight for victory.
- Danish hope: Alba Larsen starts from second place in Race 2. Keep an eye on her!