Alisha Palmowski crosses the line to claim her third victory of the 2026 F1 Academy season in the Silverstone Feature Race, full report below.
On Saturday, the Reverse Grid Race saw Audi-backed Emma Felbermayr bounce back from a difficult Qualifying session, converting pole to a lights-to-flag victory. Behind the Austrian driver, Nina Gademan and Ella Lloyd rounded up the podium.
However, ahead of the Feature Race, all eyes were on Wild Card entrant Chiara Bättig, who stunned the field with a dominant outing on Friday. The 16 year-old Swiss driver made history becoming the youngest and first-ever Wild Card to top a session and claim pole position. Starting on the front row alongside her, Alisha Palmowski looked to extend her lead in the Drivers’ Standings.
Lights out for the Silverstone F1 Academy Feature Race!
At lights out, Palmowski immediately jumped ahead of Bättig, claiming the lead from the Swiss driver. But in third, Lisa Billard stalled as the French driver was left stranded on the starting grid. Whilst drivers continued to jostle for position, further down the field, Payton Westcott ran wide and plummeted down the field.
After a strong launch off the line, Lloyd, who started P6, found herself in P3 and defending from a charging Rachel Robertson, who refused to back down. On Lap 2, unfortunately for Ella Stevens and Rafaela Ferreira, the pair collided down the Hamilton Straight. In turn, the incident then deployed a safety car as both drivers marked the first retirements of the race.
Palmowski controls the field at restart
On Lap 5, the safety car period ended as Bättig managed to stick with a more experienced Palmowski at the restart. Battling for the final spot on the podium, Felbermayr went side-by-side with Lloyd, running the Welsh driver wide as they headed down to Copse. Joining the fight for the final spot on the podium, Gademan made her way past Lloyd as well.
Meanwhile, out in front, Palmowski and Bättig pulled a four-second gap to Felbermayr, who sat in P3. Further down the field, Mercedes-backed Westcott sailed past Alba Larsen to claim the final points-scoring position on track. Having settled into a rhythm, the American then proceeded to chase down Megan Bruce.
Replay showed how Bruce sustained damage to the nose of her front wing, having run into the back of Larsen at the safety car restart. Soon, Esmee Kosterman received a five-second time penalty for a safety car infringement.
However, out in front, Palmowski crossed the line to claim victory on home soil and a third of her 2026 F1 Academy season, extending her championship lead. Behind her, Bättig finished on the podium, becoming the first Wild Card entrant to do so, while Felbermayr completed the podium.
Full results from F1 Academy Feature Race at 2026 British GP
