Alisha Palmowski delivered a masterclass performance in the opening race of the F1 Academy penultimate round at the Circuit of the Americas, strengthening her grip on the 2026 championship crown with a hard-fought victory.
When the lights went out in Texas, the action immediately heated up at the front of the grid. Payton Westcott made a brilliant launch from the front row to snatch the lead from Palmowski through the opening sequence of corners. However, a poor exit out of Turn 1 left the Mercedes-backed driver vulnerable as the field charged toward the braking zone.
Palmowski capitalized swiftly, reclaiming the lead as the contenders swept down toward Turn 9. Shortly after, drama struck for Westcott as a sudden snap of oversteer sent her tumbling down the order to eighth place, handing podium positions to the chasing pack.
The chaos on the opening lap also triggered a Safety Car intervention following a collision between Rachel Robertson and Rafaela Ferreira, which left Robertson stranded on the circuit and neutralized the early gaps.
At the restart, Palmowski managed the field expertly to control the pace at the front. Behind her, an intense duel for the remaining podium spots unfolded as Alba Larsen mounted a fierce challenge on Nina Gademan, ultimately carving her way into second position amidst strict track limit battles as the race drew to a dramatic close.
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