United States Grand Prix · Debrief
Alisha Palmowski completes F1 ACADEMY Zandvoort testing sweep
Alisha Palmowski tops both sessions on Day 2 of F1 ACADEMY testing at Zandvoort to complete a clean sweep across the two-day event.
Palmowski sets the benchmark again
Alisha Palmowski carried her Day 1 form into the second day of F1 ACADEMY in-season testing at Circuit Zandvoort, completing a clean sweep of the two sessions. The Red Bull Racing driver topped both the morning and afternoon running, underlining her consistency across the final day of testing.
Palmowski established the morning benchmark with a 1:36.740, finishing ahead of Alba Larsen. In the afternoon, she again led the way with a 1:37.620, ending just over a tenth clear of Ella Lloyd. Her performance follows the Day 1 testing sweep at Zandvoort, giving Palmowski the strongest overall momentum from the two-day test.
Morning session
The morning began at a brisk pace, with six drivers taking to the circuit immediately for reconnaissance laps. Ava Dobson set the first representative time, a 1:41.777, but Lisa Billard and then Larsen quickly moved ahead. Esmee Kosterman subsequently lowered the benchmark to 1:38.479.
Palmowski was the only driver to break into the 1:36s. After posting three personal bests during the opening hour, she exchanged fastest laps with Larsen and reduced the target from 1:37.730 to 1:36.740. Larsen ultimately finished 0.273 seconds off the pace.
Running eased during the second hour as most of the field returned to the pits, although Mathilda Paatz, Dobson, Zoe Florescu, Nina Gademan and Rachel Robertson continued to add mileage. Palmowski’s time remained unbeaten to the chequered flag. Larsen finished second, with Emma Felbermayr third, 0.136 seconds further back. Billard was fourth ahead of Lloyd and Natalia Granada, while Payton Westcott, Kosterman and Gademan completed the top nine.
Afternoon session
Robertson and Dobson were first onto the circuit in the afternoon, but Lloyd soon set the pace with a 1:38.678 before improving by a further two tenths. Felbermayr joined the fight at the front before Palmowski broke into the 1:37s on her fourth lap.
Palmowski immediately lowered her time to 1:37.747, then improved again to 1:37.620. Robertson caused a brief Red Flag after touching the barrier between Turns 8 and 9, while Gademan later stopped in the gravel at Turn 9, producing a second interruption.
Lloyd held second, ahead of Billard and Felbermayr. Gademan finished fifth, followed by Robertson, Westcott, Larsen and Rafaela Ferreira. F1 ACADEMY action now resumes for Round 4 at Zandvoort from August 21-23.