Payton Westcott made an impressive start to her 2026 F1 Academy campaign, claiming 3rd in Race 2 at the season-opener Chinese GP. The American entered the season with prior experience in the championship, having competed as the wildcard entry in Las Vegas last year. She also caught attention at the inaugural F1 Academy Rookie Test,…
The F1 Academy field delivered an action-packed weekend at the 2026 Chinese GP, where raw pace alone wasn’t enough to guarantee success. With changing track conditions, multiple Safety Car interruptions, and a tightly packed grid, the margins between a standout result and a frustrating outcome were finer than ever. Ultimately, Shanghai proved to be a…
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…
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…
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…
Joining the F1 Academy grid as the Las Vegas GP Wild Card, Payton Westcott made an immediate impact by scoring points on debut. As the final Wild Card Driver of the 2025 season, she had limited time to adapt, yet she maximised her weekend with pace, composure, and clear potential. The American secured a points…
F1 Academy has announced that 16 year-old Payton Westcott will join the 2025 season finale in Las Vegas as the event’s wild card entry. This year, she competed in the Formula Winter Series, Italian F4 and E4 Championships with Van Amersfoort Racing. Heading into Las Vegas in just a few weeks time, the American isn’t…
The inaugural F1 Academy Rookie Test, held at the Circuito de Navarra in September 2025, has set the stage for a new generation of female racing talent. With 18 rookies all eligible for the 2026 season, the event was not only a platform to showcase the next wave of racing stars but also an opportunity…
