Reigning F1 Academy champion Alisha Palmowski will join the Red Bull Junior Team in 2027 as she prepares to graduate to the FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) with Rodin Motorsport. The British driver will receive a fully funded seat and continued development support following her championship-winning campaign with Campos Racing.
The announcement marks another significant milestone in Palmowski’s single-seater career, extending her relationship with Red Bull beyond its F1 Academy programme. Having secured the 2026 Drivers’ Championship in Austin, she will now pursue the next stage of her development against an expanded international Formula Regional field.
Palmowski progresses through Red Bull development pathway
Palmowski’s promotion follows two seasons representing the Red Bull Racing Academy Programme in F1 Academy, during which she developed into one of the championship’s leading competitors.
The British youngster first attracted attention through her performances in the 2024 GB4 Championship with Elite Motorsport. She secured three victories, 11 podium finishes and two pole positions, eventually finishing runner-up in the standings behind Linus Granfors.
Her performances earned her an opportunity to compete as a Wild Card driver during the 2024 F1 Academy season finale in Qatar, providing her first experience in the category before joining Campos Racing for a full campaign in 2025.
Palmowski immediately demonstrated her potential by claiming victory during her debut weekend in Shanghai. Although she faced several challenges throughout her rookie season, she maintained her competitiveness and eventually finished fifth in the Drivers’ Championship.
Her 2025 F1 Academy campaign provided valuable experience as she developed her racecraft, qualifying performances and consistency against an increasingly competitive field.
Red Bull subsequently retained Palmowski for a second season, allowing her to build on that foundation as she targeted the 2026 championship.
Dominant 2026 campaign delivers maiden F1 Academy title
Palmowski entered her second F1 Academy season as one of the championship favourites and quickly established herself at the front of the field.
Driving for Campos Racing, she secured victories and podium finishes throughout the opening rounds, gradually strengthening her advantage over her closest championship rivals.
By the time the championship reached the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, Palmowski had already established a commanding lead in the standings.
The British driver subsequently delivered another impressive performance during the opening race, overcoming an early challenge from Payton Westcott and two Safety Car interruptions to claim her fifth victory of the season.
Her victory in the opening Austin race extended her championship advantage to 63 points, bringing her within reach of securing the title before the season finale.
Palmowski completed that objective during Saturday’s Reverse Grid Race, recovering from eighth on the grid to finish second behind Alba Larsen.
The result secured her the Drivers’ Championship with three races remaining, making her the fourth champion in F1 Academy history.
Red Bull commitment extends beyond F1 Academy
Palmowski’s success has now secured her a place within Red Bull’s established junior development structure, providing a pathway towards higher levels of single-seater competition.
Unlike her previous involvement through the Red Bull Racing Academy Programme, her new position places her within the organisation’s wider junior driver structure.
The programme has previously supported several drivers who subsequently progressed into Formula 1, including Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo and Isack Hadjar.
For Palmowski, the promotion represents an opportunity to benefit from the same development environment while gaining experience in more powerful machinery.
Furthermore, Red Bull and F1 Academy will jointly support her fully funded 2027 Formula Regional campaign, ensuring she can focus on adapting to the demands of the new championship.
The arrangement also includes a comprehensive testing programme, allowing Palmowski to develop her technical understanding and familiarity with Formula Regional machinery before beginning her competitive season.
Her graduation represents another step in F1 Academy’s objective of creating opportunities for female competitors to progress beyond the all-female championship and establish themselves within the wider single-seater ladder.
Mekies praises Palmowski’s development and championship success
Oracle Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Laurent Mekies welcomed Palmowski’s promotion, highlighting her development throughout the previous two seasons and the commitment she demonstrated during her championship-winning campaign.
“We are very happy to keep Alisha in the Red Bull family and continue this journey together! Over the past two seasons, she has developed exceptionally well, both on and off the track. She has consistently performed at a very high level despite the pressure of going into the season as the favourite, culminating in a dominant championship-winning campaign.
We recognise the importance of F1 Academy in creating opportunities for young drivers to develop and showcase their talent, and at Red Bull we have always taken that responsibility very seriously. As Alisha continues her development in the Red Bull Junior Team, we can’t wait to support her as she competes against other very talented young men and women in FRECA next year.”
His comments underline Red Bull’s intention to maintain its involvement in Palmowski’s career as she transitions beyond F1 Academy.
The organisation will now focus on providing the technical preparation and development opportunities required for her next challenge.
Palmowski welcomes next step in single-seater career
Palmowski expressed her appreciation for Red Bull’s continued support, reflecting on her championship success and the progress she has made since joining the organisation.
“I’m so excited to continue my journey with Red Bull. I joined this family just under two years ago as a young girl with dreams of making them come true. Winning the title in Austin, with my family there and so many people from Red Bull, was surreal, and it’s a weekend I’ll never forget.
I’ve developed so much as a driver and as a person over the last two seasons, and the support I’ve received from Campos Racing, Red Bull and F1 ACADEMY has been incredible. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get here, and I know there’s still a lot more to do, but having Red Bull’s belief behind me makes the journey clearer.
Next season brings a new series, a new team and a fresh opportunity to test myself. Moving up the single-seater ladder has always been the goal, and I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to race in Formula Regional with Rodin Motorsport. I can’t wait to get going.”
Her move to Formula Regional will present a significant challenge as she adapts to a different car, new circuits and a highly competitive international field.
Nevertheless, her previous experience in GB4 and F1 Academy provides a strong foundation as she prepares for another step up the junior motorsport ladder.
Rodin Motorsport prepares for expanded Formula Regional campaign
Palmowski will join Rodin Motorsport for the 2027 FIA Formula Regional European Championship, becoming part of an organisation with an established presence across several levels of junior single-seater racing.
The British outfit currently competes in Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula Regional, providing opportunities for young drivers to progress through different categories.
Rodin completed its inaugural FIA FREC campaign in 2026, securing several competitive results while developing its understanding of the championship’s new-generation machinery.
The team has already confirmed that Alex Ninovic will remain with Rodin Motorsport for 2027, providing continuity alongside Palmowski’s arrival.
Ninovic finished tenth in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship, collecting 64 points and one podium. His experience within the category should provide a useful reference as Rodin prepares to build on its first season.
Meanwhile, Palmowski will face the challenge of adapting to the Tatuus T-326, which features greater aerodynamic performance and more powerful machinery than the Formula 4-based cars used in F1 Academy.
The transition will require further development in areas such as braking, tyre management and technical feedback, particularly as she works with a new engineering team.
Expanded 2027 FREC calendar presents new challenges
Palmowski will join an increasingly competitive championship as FIA FREC prepares for its second season under full FIA status.
The 2027 FIA Formula Regional European Championship calendar will expand from eight to ten events, introducing additional opportunities for young drivers to develop across a range of European circuits.
The season will begin at Portimão from 9–11 April before visiting the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps during the opening four rounds.
Further events at Paul Ricard, the Hungaroring, Zandvoort, Imola and Monza will follow before Barcelona hosts the season finale from 8–10 October.
The championship will also introduce a consistent two-race format at every round, replacing the varying structure used throughout 2026.
Furthermore, the FIA has confirmed an expanded 12-team field for 2027, with Invicta Racing and LN4 Fusion joining the ten existing organisations.
The increase will create a 36-car grid, introducing another competitive challenge for drivers graduating from Formula 4 and other junior categories.
For Palmowski, the expanded championship offers an opportunity to gain experience against drivers with a wide range of racing backgrounds.
Race of Champions appearance adds to Palmowski’s 2027 programme
Before beginning her Formula Regional campaign, Palmowski will also compete in the 2027 Race of Champions World Final in Wellington, New Zealand.
The recently crowned F1 Academy champion secured an invitation to the 2027 Race of Champions, where she will compete alongside several established international motorsport competitors.
The event will take place on 9–10 January and feature a mixture of drivers from Formula 1, rallying, touring cars and other racing disciplines.
Palmowski’s participation carries additional significance after she attended the 2015 Race of Champions at London’s Olympic Stadium with her father.
Her return as a competitor will provide another opportunity to gain experience in an unfamiliar racing environment before beginning her preparations for Formula Regional.
Las Vegas finale brings F1 Academy chapter to a close
Despite confirming her 2027 programme, Palmowski still has one final F1 Academy weekend remaining before concluding her involvement in the championship.
The British driver will enter the Las Vegas season finale with 172 points, holding a 53-point advantage over second-placed Nina Gademan.
Having already secured the Drivers’ Championship, Palmowski will aim to finish her campaign strongly while helping Campos Racing challenge for the Teams’ Championship.
The Spanish organisation currently leads the standings following its successful campaign with Palmowski, Megan Bruce and Rafaela Ferreira.
The final round will take place from 19–21 November, bringing Palmowski’s two-year association with F1 Academy to a close.
Her promotion to the Red Bull Junior Team and fully funded Formula Regional seat represents the next stage of a career that has progressed rapidly since her GB4 debut.
With continued manufacturer support and a confirmed place at Rodin Motorsport, Palmowski will now turn her attention towards establishing herself in Formula Regional and continuing her progression through the international single-seater ladder.
