Emma Felbermayr Seals Thrilling Race 2 Victory to Cap Stellar Opening Weekend

Emma Felbermayr delivered a composed and clinical performance under pressure to secure a dramatic Race 2 victory, edging out Alisha Palmowski by just two tenths of a second in a breathtaking sprint to the chequered flag. The Audi driver’s triumph marked her second podium of the weekend and underlined a commanding start to the season.

Palmowski, who had started from pole position, was forced to settle for second after losing the lead at the start, while Mercedes’ Payton Westcott stayed clear of trouble to clinch the final podium position in an action-packed contest.

Lightning Start Shakes Up the Order

In cooler track conditions, Alba Larsen executed a superb launch at lights out, immediately demoting polesitter Palmowski to P2. The Briton then slipped further back as Felbermayr capitalised, while Westcott quickly joined the battle for the top three.

Although the Red Bull Racing driver initially managed to cling onto third through the opening sector, Larsen began to build a significant early advantage. Behind her, Felbermayr focused on consolidating position and setting up a second podium finish of the weekend.

There was early heartbreak for rookie Natalia Granada. After impressing with a P2 finish in her debut race, she made inadvertent contact with Racing Bulls’ Rafaela Ferreira on the opening lap. The damage forced her into the pits for a new front wing, dropping her down the order.

Midfield Battles and Rising Tension

Fierce fights unfolded throughout the field. McLaren’s Ella Lloyd emerged victorious from a three-way battle for sixth, edging out Ferreira and Lisa Billard while also setting the fastest lap at that stage of the race.

Up front, Larsen extended her advantage to around two seconds, but the pressure behind intensified. Palmowski, eager to reclaim lost ground, pushed hard against Felbermayr. The Audi driver responded with assured late braking to defend P2, while Westcott remained firmly in contention for a maiden podium.

Safety Car Turns the Race on Its Head

The complexion of the race changed dramatically on Lap 6 when the Safety Car was deployed following a collision between Esmee Kosterman and Jade Jacquet. The Williams driver locked up into a corner before colliding with the rear of Kosterman’s car, eliminating both from Race 2.

With overtaking prohibited during the neutralisation, the field was compressed, placing the pressure squarely on race leader Larsen to manage the restart.

That pressure proved decisive. At the final corner as racing resumed, Larsen suffered a snap of oversteer and skated through the gravel, surrendering the lead and tumbling to the back end of the top 10. Felbermayr seized the opportunity to inherit first place, though Palmowski remained firmly in her mirrors.

Late Drama and a Cool-Headed Finish

Further down the order, contact between Wild Card entry Shi Wei and PUMA-backed Rachel Roberston added to the late drama. Roberston locked up on the inside line and struck her Hitech teammate’s car, compounding an already chaotic race.

At the front, however, Felbermayr held her nerve. Despite a fierce late challenge from Palmowski on the final lap, the Audi driver maintained control to cross the line just two tenths clear. Palmowski secured second, with Westcott completing the podium after a measured and opportunistic drive.

Nina Gademan finished fourth for Alpine ahead of Lloyd and Ferreira, while rookie Billard claimed seventh. Larsen recovered to salvage valuable points in eighth, with Megan Bruce and Ava Dobson rounding out the points-paying positions.

What’s Next?

Following confirmation that the next round in Jeddah will not take place in April, F1 ACADEMY will return from May 22–24 at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.