Pit Debrief

Motorsport news

Pit Debrief

Motorsport news

Category: F1 Academy

F1A: Read the latest of F1 Academy reports, news, opinions, and more by Pit Debrief.

Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

F1 Academy | 2026 United States GP | Opening Race | Palmowski takes victory ahead of Gademan and Larsen in Austin

Karishma Persad07 mins

Red Bull Racing-backed Campos Racing driver Alisha Palmowski strengthened her lead in the 2026 F1 Academy Drivers’ Championship with victory in the Opening Race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The championship leader overcame an early challenge from Mercedes-supported PREMA Racing driver Payton Westcott and two Safety Car interruptions to secure the win, crossing…

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Ava Dobson gets three-place grid penalties for three Austin F1 Academy races after failing to slow under yellow flags in practice.
Photo Credit: F1 Academy

Ava Dobson handed grid penalties for all three F1 Academy races at Austin

Karishma Persad05 mins

Hitech’s Ava Dobson has received a three-place grid penalty for all three races of the 2026 F1 Academy United States Grand Prix weekend at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), following a yellow flag infringement during Thursday’s Free Practice session. The 18-year-old American Express-backed driver was found to have failed to slow sufficiently under a…

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Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

F1 Academy | 2026 United States GP | Qualifying | Palmowski takes double pole in Austin after lap time reinstatement

James O'Connor03 mins

Qualifying for round 5 of the 2026 F1 Academy season at the United States GP in Austin has been completed, view the full report here. For this weekend, the 17 regular drivers were joined by Wild Card Alexia Danielsson of Sweden. As always, the one-off entrant joins Rachel Robertson and Ava Dobson at Hitech. As…

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Campos Racing leads the 2026 F1 Academy Teams' Championship by 73 points. Explore Austin title scenarios for Rodin, MP, and PREMA.
Photo Credit: F1 Academy

F1 Academy 2026 Teams’ Championship analysis: What Campos, Rodin, MP Motorsport and PREMA need in Austin

Karishma Persad024 mins

The 2026 F1 Academy Teams’ Championship heads to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with Campos Racing holding a commanding 73-point advantage over Rodin Motorsport, while MP Motorsport and PREMA Racing remain firmly involved in the fight heading into the final two rounds. Campos leads on 212 points following another strong weekend at Zandvoort, with…

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Westcott 2026 F1 Academy
Photo Credit: Mercedes F1 Team

Exclusive: Westcott assesses 2026 F1 Academy season and targets climb up standings in final two rounds

Antonina Jaromin07 mins

Payton Westcott has established herself as a standout rookie on the 2026 F1 Academy grid, with her maiden win at Zandvoort marking a significant milestone in her debut season. The PREMA Racing driver sits fifth in the Drivers’ Standings with 49 points, making her the highest-ranked rookie heading into the final two rounds. Westcott has…

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Photo Credit: F1 Academy

F1 Academy 2026 Drivers’ Championship analysis: What Palmowski, Felbermayr and their rivals need in Austin

Karishma Persad021 mins

The 2026 F1 Academy Drivers’ Championship heads to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with Alisha Palmowski holding a commanding 48-point advantage over Emma Felbermayr, while nine drivers remain mathematically capable of claiming the title with two rounds remaining. Palmowski leads on 136 points following her fourth victory of the season at Zandvoort, with Felbermayr…

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