Bättig makes instant F1 ACADEMY statement with Silverstone Free Practice pace

Bättig sets the benchmark on debut

Chiara Bättig delivered a striking opening statement on her debut F1 ACADEMY weekend, topping Free Practice at Silverstone and becoming the first Wild Card driver to lead a session. In a 40-minute run defined by steadily improving grip and late movement on the timing screens, Bättig’s 2:02.640 stood as the reference all the way to the chequered flag.

Silverstone’s place on the F1 ACADEMY calendar has already carried significance this weekend, with the series making its first appearance at the British venue. For more on the build-up to the round, see our F1 ACADEMY Silverstone preview.

Early laps, yellow flags and shifting pace

The session opened with installation laps as the field eased into the first running of the weekend. Esmee Kosterman briefly stopped at the entry to the National Pit Straight, but the LEGO Racing driver was able to continue.

After 10 minutes, Ella Lloyd posted the first representative time, a 2:05.240, before improving into the 2:04s on her next lap. As the drivers pushed harder, Lisa Billard spun through Abbey, bringing out yellow flags momentarily.

Emma Felbermayr then moved to the top with a 2:04.369, before lowering the benchmark to 2:03.369 and opening an eight-tenth margin over Lloyd. At the halfway stage, the Hitech trio and standings leader Palmowski were still yet to record a lap.

Bättig raises the level

Gademan cut Felbermayr’s advantage to just 0.070s before taking P1 with a 2:03.189, but Bättig soon changed the shape of the session. Completing her first F1 ACADEMY laps, she became the first driver into the 2:02s with a 2:02.881, three tenths faster than Gademan, then improved again to a 2:02.640.

Palmowski responded with her first representative effort and moved into second, later closing to within 0.208s of Bättig. Gademan improved in the final minute to reclaim third from Felbermayr, ending 0.241s off the fastest time.

Ella Stevens completed the top five, ahead of Ava Dobson and Rachel Robertson. Mercedes driver Payton Westcott was eighth, with Billard ninth and Lloyd rounding out the top 10.

Qualifying next at Silverstone

With Free Practice complete, attention now turns to Qualifying at 18:00 local time. After Bättig’s impressive debut pace, the question is whether she can convert early speed into a serious pole challenge in F1 ACADEMY’s first Silverstone qualifying session.