F1 Academy 2026: Alisha Palmowski grabs pole in Shanghai - a wild start to the season
And we're off! The 2026 season of F1 Academy has kicked off with a bang, and hold onto your seats, because this opening round in Shanghai has been nothing short of electrifying. Right in the heart of the melting pot that is Shanghai, Friday's qualifying session has already set the stage for a truly special season. Forget boring drives and predictable results – out here, every single inch of tarmac is being fought over.
Palmowski delivered when it mattered most
If there was anyone hungry to hit the track, it was Alisha Palmowski. The Brit from the Red Bull programme has been circling near the top for a while, but yesterday, it all finally clicked. She snatched her career-first pole position with a mind-blowing lap time of 2:04.182. This wasn't just a pole. It was a masterclass. She crushed her competitors by over four-tenths of a second – and in the world of Formula 1, that's an eternity. It sends a clear signal to the entire grid: Palmowski isn't here to just participate, she's here to win.
Right on her tail is Ferrari's Alba Larsen. Wow, does this young lady look sharp. She actually held the provisional pole for over half the session, and with this second-place finish, she's proven that her rookie flashes last year were no fluke. It was tight, it was intense, and it bodes incredibly well for the rest of the weekend.
Denmark's Alba Larsen: From talent to title contender?
It's impossible to talk about this season without dwelling on our own, Alba Larsen. The 17-year-old Larsen, driving for the Ferrari family, has long been touted as one of Denmark's biggest hopes. After last season, where she frequently snuck into the top 5, expectations were sky-high. And she's not disappointing. Pushing a Red Bull driver like Palmowski in the season's first real duel and landing P2 in qualifying is pure class. It catapults her directly into the spotlight as one of the drivers everyone will be watching as championship points are on the line.
New names, big dreams, and a blockbuster partnership
The 2026 grid is a high-octane 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 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 is hard to miss – a stunning creation with 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: this is about much more than beauty. It's about challenging outdated stereotypes and showing that motorsport is for everyone.
The LEGO has landed, and we're loving it
While the cars roar on track, we can also bring a piece of the experience home. LEGO has, for the first time, embraced F1 Academy and released the cool 77258 F1 ACADEMY Race Car in their Speed Champions series. This isn't just a set; it's a recognition that the girls of F1 Academy deserve their place in everyone's living rooms. The model is built to a 1:1 scale with the real cars, complete with a minifigure, helmet, and wrench. Perfect for collectors and kids alike who dream of the asphalt.
The big difference in the 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 a real thriller. 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 will start from pole in the first race. This is where the young lions can really score some easy points and shake up the 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: things are heating up in F1 Academy. And with a Dane right at the front of the pack, there's every reason to keep your eyes glued to the screen this weekend. Whether you're into high drama, tactical battles, or just want to see the stars of tomorrow unfold, this is where it's happening. Bring on the racing!
- Saturday, March 14th: Race 1 (reverse grid) - expect crazy overtakes!
- Sunday, March 15th: Race 2 - Palmowski on pole, the hunt for victory.
- Danish hope: Alba Larsen starts from P2 in Race 2. Keep an eye out!