Ferrari-backed Alba Larsen has received a three-place grid penalty following her collision with newly crowned F1 Academy champion Alisha Palmowski during Sunday’s Feature Race at the 2026 United States GP. The stewards found the Danish driver wholly responsible for the incident, which forced both drivers to retire from the race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
The collision occurred on Lap 10 as Larsen attempted to overtake Palmowski for second place. The pair had spent several laps battling closely behind race leader Nina Gademan before their fight ended in contact between Turns 12 and 13.
Stewards find Larsen wholly responsible for collision
According to the stewards’ findings, Larsen attempted an overtake down the inside of Palmowski approaching Turn 12. However, the Red Bull Racing-backed driver selected a different racing line, allowing her to attempt a switchback through the middle of the corner.
As they approached the exit, Palmowski held a slight advantage and left more than a car’s width to her right. She subsequently began moving towards the left in preparation for Turn 13.
Although Larsen remained within track limits, she also moved across, with her left-front tyre making contact with Palmowski’s right-rear tyre.
The impact caused significant damage to both cars, forcing the pair to retire and prompting Race Control to deploy the Safety Car.
Following their investigation, the stewards determined that Larsen bore full responsibility and imposed a three-place grid penalty for the next race in which she participates.
Larsen faces grid penalty ahead of Las Vegas finale
The penalty follows a contrasting weekend for Larsen, who celebrated her maiden F1 Academy victory in Saturday’s Reverse Grid Race.
Meanwhile, Palmowski had secured the Drivers’ Championship on Saturday before her Feature Race ended prematurely following the collision.
Gademan ultimately claimed victory ahead of Payton Westcott and Natalia Granada, strengthening her position in the battle for second in the championship.
Larsen will carry her three-place grid penalty into the next race she contests, with F1 Academy concluding its 2026 season in Las Vegas from 19–21 November.
