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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Payton Westcott reflects on missing F1 Academy pole in Austin and now targets victory from two front-row starts at her home round.
Photo Credit: F1 Academy

Westcott targets 2026 F1 Academy Austin victory after narrowly missing double pole

Karishma Persad04 mins

Payton Westcott remains confident of challenging for victory at the 2026 F1 Academy United States GP after narrowly missing out on pole position during a closely contested Qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas. The Mercedes-backed PREMA Racing driver delivered one of her strongest performances of the season, securing second place on the grid…

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Alisha Palmowski secures double pole in Austin after her fastest lap is reinstated, putting the 2026 F1 Academy title within reach
Photo Credit: F1 Academy

Palmowski describes “rollercoaster of emotions” after dramatic double pole in F1 Academy Austin qualifying

Karishma Persad010 mins

Red Bull Racing-backed Alisha Palmowski described a “rollercoaster of emotions” after securing a dramatic double pole position during qualifying for the 2026 F1 Academy United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The championship leader initially lost her fastest lap to a track limits infringement before having it reinstated, allowing her to…

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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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Felbermayr vows to go all in at Austin after she topped F1 Academy practice, with Palmowski leading the championship by 48 points.
Photo Credit: F1 Academy

Felbermayr adopts “all in or nothing” approach as F1 Academy title fight reaches crucial Austin weekend

Karishma Persad010 mins

Audi-backed Emma Felbermayr insists she has “nothing to lose” as she attempts to keep her 2026 F1 Academy championship hopes alive during the United States Grand Prix weekend at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The Austrian began the penultimate round by topping Thursday’s Free Practice session, finishing 0.178 seconds ahead of championship leader Alisha…

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Free Practice for round 5 of the 2026 F1 Academy season at the United States GP in Austin has been completed, view the full report here.
Photo Credit: F1 Academy

F1 Academy | 2026 United States GP | Free Practice | Felbermayr beats Palmowski to P1

James O'Connor02 mins

Free Practice 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….

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