Audi-backed Emma Felbermayr claimed victory in the Silverstone Reverse Grid race at the third round of the 2026 F1 Academy season, full report below.
After sweeping both Free Practice and Qualifying on Friday, Wild Card entrant Chiara Bättig impressed on her F1 Academy debut, making history as the youngest driver and first Wild Card to top a session and claim pole position. However, ahead of Sunday’s Feature Race, all eyes will be on Emma Felbermayr and Nina Gademan, who start on the front row for the Reverse Grid race.
Lights out for the Reverse Grid Race!
With 13 laps ahead, a strong launch off the line from Felbermayr saw her lead the pack down to Turn 1. Behind the Austrian, Gademan and Ella Lloyd slotted in behind the Audi driver. However, polesitter Bättig struggled to get off the line at lights out.
Meanwhile, while drivers continued to jostle for position, Mercedes-backed Payton Westcott ran wide as the field headed through Maggotts and Becketts. Having started the race in P13, Alba Larsen found herself in P9, defending against a charging Bättig.
However, replay showed two drivers, Jade Jacquet and Esmee Kosterman, stranded on the grid at lights out. But as the race got underway, both drivers were able to get going once again. On Lap 5, drivers appeared to have started to settle into a rhythm. Still looking for a way past Larsen, Bättig attempted a move down the inside but was forced to back out. After stalling at the start, Kosterman started to make her way through the field.
Bättig continues to impress
The Wild Card entrant did not appear afraid to battle against more experienced drivers. Lunging down the inside at Brookslands, Bättig overtook Larsen for P9. Getting past the Ferrari-backed driver, the Swiss driver started to chase down Ava Dobson.
Westcott’s day continued to go downhill as the stewards noted the American driver for moving before the signal. The stewards soon handed her a five-second time penalty. Out in front, Felbermayr managed to build a 1.2 second gap to Gademan, who still sat in P2.
Looking for a move around the outside of Dobson, Megan Bruce battled with the American Express driver, allowing Bättig to close in on the fight. The Wild Card entrant made her way past Bruce and into P8.
Out in front, having controlled the race from lights-to-flag, Felbermayr claimed her second victory of the 2026 F1 Academy season, while Gademan and Lloyd rounded up the podium places.
Full results from F1 Academy Reverse Grid Race at 2026 British GP
