Palmowski wins Austin opener to strengthen F1 Academy title bid

Alisha Palmowski moved closer to the F1 Academy title with victory in Friday’s 13-lap Opening Race in Austin. The Red Bull junior started on the front row beside home rookie Payton Westcott and finished ahead of Nina Gademan and Alba Larsen.

Palmowski’s place at the front came after her impressive qualifying lap was reinstated. The Austin pole fight had set up a front-row start, and she converted it into another win in her championship campaign.

Palmowski retakes the lead after Westcott’s strong start

Westcott initially got away well and moved into the lead, but a poor exit from the first corner allowed Palmowski to take the position back. The race was soon interrupted when Rafaela Ferreira spun and collided with Rachel Robertson. Robertson retired, while Ferreira continued, and the incident brought out the safety car.

Westcott later ran wide and fell to eighth. Ella Lloyd, also caught up in the opening-lap trouble, dropped to 16th. Championship contender Emma Felbermayr had gained ground before the safety car and was up to seventh.

Racing resumed on lap three, with Palmowski ahead of Gademan and Larsen. Larsen passed Gademan at the start of the next lap, while Westcott and Felbermayr continued their progress. Through the middle stages, the leading trio remained closely grouped, with less than a second between each driver as Larsen pressed Palmowski.

A late safety car sets up a final-lap contest

The race’s second safety-car period followed a lap-10 collision between Lloyd and Ava Dobson. Lloyd continued, but Dobson’s home race ended there. The field was released for the final lap, giving the drivers one last chance to attack.

With a penalty threat hanging over her after an earlier move that involved leaving the track and gaining an advantage, Larsen handed second place back to Gademan at the restart. She then made a late attempt to reclaim it, but Gademan held firm. Felbermayr battled Lisa Billard for fourth, with Billard keeping the position.

Palmowski crossed the line first, ahead of Gademan and Larsen. The result adds another strong finish to the run that began with her Austin pole lap being reinstated.

The championship fight continues in the Reverse Grid Race, where Ferreira is set to start from pole.