Alisha Palmowski – Red Bull Racing
At 18 years old, Britain’s Alisha Palmowski is the highest-scoring rookie in F1 Academy as of Round 3. She currently sits in 4th. Alisha began her career in karts in 2015, becoming Junior Karting Rookie Champion in 2018. In 2019, she came 9th in the Daniel Ricciardo Junior DRS100 Series, going on to become Vice Champion in this series, in both 2020 and 2021.
In 2021, Palmowski was also a finalist in the Ginetta Junior Scholarship, finishing in the top 8, then becoming Champion of this series in 2022. Also in the 2022 season, the Brit became Vice Champion of the Ginetta Winter Series, as well as receiving an award for Ginetta Junior Driver of the Year.
Palmowski claimed the GB4 Vice Champion title in 2024 before signing with Campos Racing, backed by Red Bull Racing, for the 2025 F1 Academy season. Over the first three rounds, Palmowski’s best qualifying position has been 2nd, with her best finish in Round 1.
During Race 1 in Shanghai, the top 8 drivers from qualifying were reversed, placing her in the 4th place grid box. The British driver took home the win that race, impressing all, winning the first race of her rookie season.
Palmowski is sitting happy with 44 points, and continues to show promising talent, and ability to find for wins.
Alba Larsen – Tommy Hilfiger
Another one of the 2025 F1 Academy rookies proving their place, is 16 year old Alba Larsen. Larsen’s career began in 2022, with a P3 in the Zealand Championship. In this same year, she competed in the Danish and Nordic IAME Championships.
In 2023, Larsen stepped into Junior karting, winning the Zealand Championship, after taking out 4 out of the 5 rounds. She also finished 64th in the IAME Italy X30 Junior Series, and 12th in the Danish Karting League’s X30 Junior Series.
The Dane won the 2023 FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars Programme. Her F1 Academy teammate, Joanne Ciconte, was a finalist alongside her. Larsen competed in Formula 4 Indian Championship, in 2024 with Speed Demons Delhi. She accumulated 13 points over the span of the two rounds she entered, and finished 18th.
Larsen was among the first rookies announced for the 2025 F1 Academy season, set to race for MP Motorsport with support from Tommy Hilfiger. After the first three rounds of this year, the Dane is sitting 5th in the championship having accumulated 28 points.
Her best qualifying thus far is 3rd, with her best finish being an impressive 4th, both in Race 2 in Shanghai. This proves her to be yet another F1 Academy rookie to watch!
Ella Lloyd – McLaren
The 19 year old British McLaren backed driver, Ella Lloyd is proving her place in European motorsport. Lloyd comes from an athletic background, with a Paralympian father who also holds a rally license, her destiny set.
Beginning her competitive racing career in 2022 in the Ginetta Junior Championship, Lloyd finished 15 of the 25 races in the points. In 2023, the Brit competed in the Ginetta GT Championship, and was crowned Vice Champion.
Lloyd debuted in single seaters at the start of 2024, in the Formula Winter Series, taking home many Female Driver Trophies. She continued on to compete in British F4 with JHR Developments. From there she took part in the F1 Academy weekend in Singapore 2024, as a wild card entry.
As a part of the McLaren Drive Development Program, Rodin Motorsport announced Lloyd for their F1 Academy campaign. After the first 3 rounds, the Brit sits 6th in the F1 Academy standings with 23 points. Her best qualifying being a P4, before taking her maiden win in Jeddah.
Nina Gademan – Alpine
PREMA Racing signed 21 year old Nina Gademan Alpine backed driver for the 2025 F1 Academy season. The Dutch driver made her F1 Academy debut as wild card for round 4 in 2024, at the Zandvoort Grand Prix. In her wild card debut, Gademan qualified P6 for both races, going on to finish 4th and 10th. As a result, she was deemed the highest scoring wild card.
Rewinding back to her early years, Gademan began her karting career in 2018. In 2019, she was finalist in the 2019 Girls on Track Le Mans Shootout, going on to win gold in the Karting Slalom Cup in 2020. During 2022, the Dutch driver competed in the ACNN PTC Cup, in addition to the Belcar Endurance Championship.
In 2024, she went on to compete in British F4 with Fortec Motorsport, finishing in 18th with 28 points across 25 races. Alongside F1 Academy, Gademan also competed in the 2025 Formula Winter Series with Hitech TGR, finishing in 15th with 13 points.
As expected, her F1 Academy rookie campaign has begun with success. Although during in-season testing in Saudi Arabian, Gademan suffered a major crash, as the following rounds looked uncertain. Fortunately, she bounced back quickly. The Dutch driver has seen a P8 as her best qualifying position, as well as her highest finish in Miami with a P5. Over the first three rounds she has scored 12 points.
Emma Felbermayr – KICK Sauber
Emma Felbermayr is a third generation racer, with her father and grandfather competing in the 24 hours of Le Man. At just 18 years old, she is proving her own talent in the European single seater scene. Beginning karting in 2014, at 7 years of age, the Austrian quickly moved to the national scene, in 2015.
She made her way through the Junior and Senior karting categories, before entering the international karting world at 13, in the ADAC Ladies Cup. She finished the ADAC Ladies Cup as runner up, before moving onto WSK-Karting World and European Championships in the following years.
With her proven track record it was inevitable she would meet an aspect of the world stage. Rodin Motorsport Signed the Austrian driver, backed by KICK Sauber for their 2025 F1 Academy campaign.
Felbermayr, like the other four rookies mentioned, has proved to be a talent, with her best qualifying being a 7th. Shanghai Race 2 gave the Austrian her best finish thus far, with a P5 finish at a tough track. Her success has accumulated her 10 points as of current, with more certain to come.
How you can support these women
While all the women on the F1 Academy grid deserve support, these five rookies have showcased their talent just three rounds into their debut season!
Round 4 of F1 Academy takes place at the Canadian Grand Prix from June 13-15. Fans can watch the sessions live on the F1 Academy YouTube and X channels, F1TV, and Kayo Sports for Australian viewers.
Make sure you get behind these women and show them your support. Whether you’re attending a Grand Prix, or showing your support via social media – every bit counts!
