Payton Westcott delivered a stellar performance in her first practice session at the F1 Academy Chinese GP. She had a top 3 finish in the session, behind Alisha Palmowski and Alba Larsen. The Mercedes-backed driver finished third fastest in the session, setting a time of 2:05.041, which was the fastest time out of the rookies…
The 2026 F1 Academy season began at the Shanghai International Circuit during the Chinese GP, with Red Bull-supported Alisha Palmowski setting the fastest time in a damp and dusty 40-minute Free Practice session. With 18 drivers on the grid, the opening session offered the first indication of the competitive order for the weekend. Palmowski’s 2:04.550…
British racing driver Alisha Palmowski approaches the 2026 F1 Academy season with a calm confidence shaped by experience. After a demanding rookie year, the 19-year-old returns to the grid with Campos Racing under the banner of the Red Bull Junior Team determined to transform the lessons of 2025 into a full championship challenge. A new…
American racer Payton Westcott will launch her rookie campaign in the 2026 F1 Academy season at the Chinese Grand Prix on 13–15 March, carrying a bold new look inspired by the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team challenger. Her car mirrors the PETRONAS green flow line that defines the 2026 Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE. A dynamic…
The Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team has officially unveiled its 2026 F1 Academy livery with Mathilda Paatz set to represent the Silverstone-based team in her first full season in the championship. The striking design reflects the team’s AMR26 F1 livery and carries the iconic Aston Martin racing green onto the F1 Academy grid. As a…
Megan Bruce will graduate to a full-time seat in F1 Academy for the 2026 season, representing TAG Heuer, the series’ Official Partner, Timepiece and Timekeeper. The 21-year-old Bruce will contest her F1 Academy rookie campaign in the TAG Heuer entry operated by Campos Racing, marking a major milestone in a career that began only three…
F1 Academy has confirmed that Shi Wei, also known as ‘Tie Dou’, will return as the first Wild Card entry of the 2026 season, marking another important step in her rising career. She will line up at Round 1 in Shanghai. Racing in front of her home crowd as the championship once again supports the…
PREMA Racing has confirmed that Payton Westcott has secured a place on the 2026 F1 Academy grid, with Mercedes also announcing its support for the American teenager. Westcott will race in Mercedes colours during her rookie F1 Academy campaign, while also contesting a parallel programme in Italian Formula 4. Although demanding, this dual schedule has…
