Payton Westcott has admitted that her second-place finish in the 2026 F1 Academy Feature Race at the United States GP did not reflect her strongest performance, despite securing her fourth podium of the season. The Mercedes-backed driver believes the challenges she encountered at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) provided important lessons ahead of the championship finale in Las Vegas.
The 17-year-old qualified second for both the Opening Race and Feature Race, narrowly missing out on her maiden pole position. Although she briefly led Friday’s contest, an opening-lap mistake compromised her result, leaving her seventh. However, she recovered on Sunday to finish second behind Nina Gademan following a dramatic race that saw newly crowned champion Alisha Palmowski and Alba Larsen collide.
The result strengthened Westcott’s position as the highest-ranked rookie in the Drivers’ Championship. She now sits fifth on 76 points, level with fourth-placed Larsen and 18 ahead of PREMA Racing teammate Natalia Granada, with two races remaining.
Westcott narrowly misses maiden F1 Academy pole in Austin
Westcott entered her home race weekend looking to build on an encouraging rookie campaign, which included her maiden victory at Zandvoort and podium finishes in Shanghai and Montreal.
The Mercedes-backed driver immediately demonstrated competitive pace during qualifying, challenging Palmowski for pole position at COTA. She briefly appeared set to secure her first pole after the championship leader’s fastest lap was deleted for exceeding track limits.
However, the stewards subsequently reinstated Palmowski’s lap, leaving Westcott second by less than one-tenth of a second. Nevertheless, the result secured her a front-row starting position for both Friday’s Opening Race and Sunday’s Feature Race.
The opportunity proved particularly significant given the importance of track position at COTA, where drivers must balance overtaking opportunities against the risk of losing momentum through the opening corners.
Westcott’s qualifying performance reinforced the pace she had demonstrated during her rookie season, although converting that speed into strong race results proved more challenging.
Opening Race mistake costs Westcott chance to fight for victory
Westcott made an excellent getaway during Friday’s Opening Race, immediately overtaking Palmowski to take the lead into the opening corners.
However, the newly crowned champion fought back during the opening lap, reclaiming first as the pair battled through the high-speed sections.
Westcott subsequently suffered a snap of oversteer exiting Turn 8, running onto the dirt and losing several positions. The mistake dropped her out of podium contention despite the strong start that had initially placed her in the lead.
Although she recovered during the remainder of the contest, the Mercedes-backed driver eventually finished seventh in the Opening Race, while Palmowski secured victory ahead of Gademan and Larsen.
Westcott added another three points with sixth in Saturday’s Reverse Grid Race, but the results left her seeking a stronger performance on Sunday.
The final race of the weekend presented another opportunity, with Westcott again starting alongside Palmowski on the front row.
Westcott admits Austin Feature Race podium came despite difficult performance
Sunday’s Feature Race initially appeared promising for Westcott, who made another strong start from second. However, Gademan executed an impressive move around the outside of Turn 1 to take the lead, while Palmowski subsequently recovered to second.
Larsen also overtook Westcott, leaving the Mercedes-backed driver fourth as the leading trio established an advantage.
However, the battle ahead took a dramatic turn on Lap 10 when Palmowski and Larsen collided while fighting for second. Both drivers retired, promoting Westcott to second behind Gademan.
The American maintained her position through the late Safety Car restart, securing her fourth podium of the season. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that the result had been influenced by her rivals’ misfortune.
“I think today wasn’t my best work from my racing standpoint or my pace standpoint,” she began. “I was very, very lucky to come away with a podium at my home race.
“I’m very happy, obviously, coming away with the podium. I did have a shot at P1, but just more things that I could improve on in my driving that could have given me that opportunity. I think there’s definitely a lot to learn from this weekend and a lot that I can carry on into Las Vegas.
She continued, “I think it’s been a bit harder this weekend than some of my other weekends, but that’s where you have the most growth. When it’s hard is when you grow. I think this will definitely set me up better for my future. You could come away with a P1 and not have learned as much as P2, but if you really use that to propel yourself forward, it’s really going to give you a lot more momentum.”
Westcott prioritises learning despite missed opportunities in Austin
Although Westcott left Austin with another podium, her reflections highlighted the importance she places on developing as a driver rather than focusing exclusively on individual results.
The American had demonstrated the pace to challenge at the front throughout the weekend, particularly during qualifying and the opening stages of both full-points races.
However, her mistake during Friday’s Opening Race and the positions she lost during Sunday’s contest prevented her from fully capitalising on those opportunities.
Her second-place finish in the Feature Race nevertheless represented another important addition to her rookie campaign. Having already secured podiums in Shanghai and Montreal, alongside victory in the Zandvoort Reverse Grid Race, Westcott has consistently demonstrated the ability to compete against more experienced drivers.
The American previously reflected on her rookie season in an exclusive interview, highlighting how her maiden victory at Zandvoort strengthened her confidence.
However, her latest comments suggest that the difficult moments at Austin could prove equally valuable as she prepares for the final round.
Las Vegas return brings Westcott’s F1 Academy journey full circle
The championship will conclude in Las Vegas, where Westcott made her F1 Academy debut as a Wild Card entry in 2025.
The American qualified 17th during her first appearance in the championship but recovered to sixth in the Reverse Grid Race, securing her maiden points.
However, her Feature Race ended prematurely following a collision with Joanne Ciconte, leaving Westcott unable to finish her debut weekend as she had hoped.
Returning to Las Vegas as a full-time competitor therefore carries additional significance, particularly after a rookie campaign that has already included a victory and four podium finishes.
Westcott expressed her excitement about returning to the circuit, which will also provide her with a second consecutive home race weekend following Austin.
“I’m super excited to go back to Las Vegas,” she said. “In general, just super excited to be ending the season at two of my home races. Then to be going back to Las Vegas, where it all first started and see the growth and the change in positions – I guess you can say – of where I will be versus where I was. I think it’s just going to be such an incredible circle-back moment.”
The comparison between her 2025 Wild Card appearance and her current position provides an opportunity for Westcott to assess how much she has developed over the past year.
With considerably more experience and a stronger understanding of the championship, she will aim to improve on her previous Las Vegas results while continuing to build momentum.
Westcott aims to secure top rookie honours in 2026 F1 Academy
Westcott enters the final round fifth in the Drivers’ Championship with 76 points, level with Ferrari-backed Larsen, who retains fourth on countback.
The Mercedes-backed driver gained 18 points through her second-place finish in Sunday’s Feature Race, moving level with Larsen after the Danish driver retired following her collision with Palmowski.
Westcott also maintains an 18-point advantage over PREMA Racing teammate Granada, who moved into sixth following her third-place finish in Austin.
The results leave Westcott in a strong position to finish as the highest-ranked rookie, although the remaining two races at Las Vegas provide opportunities for further changes.
Her performance throughout the season has already established her among the championship’s leading newcomers, with victory at Zandvoort and podiums at Shanghai, Montreal and Austin.
Nevertheless, the 17-year-old emphasised that her primary focus remains on her development, even as she attempts to secure the top rookie position.
“Top rookie honours are important to me,” noted Westcott. “I still think my main focus is growth, so if I struggle a lot during Vegas but I grow a lot, that’s what’s really going to do it for me, that’s the most important thing to me – growth.”
With Palmowski already crowned champion, Westcott will also have an opportunity to improve her overall championship position. She enters Las Vegas level with Larsen and 37 points behind third-placed Emma Felbermayr.
The season finale on 19–21 November will therefore provide another opportunity for Westcott to demonstrate her progress. Having experienced both the disappointment of missed opportunities and the satisfaction of another podium at Austin, she will aim to conclude her rookie campaign with a stronger performance at the circuit where her F1 Academy journey began.
