F1 Academy has arrived in Texas for Round 5 of the 2026 season, with the Circuit of The Americas hosting the United States Grand Prix. The championship is approaching its decisive stages and Alisha Palmowski arrives in Austin leading the Drivers’ Standings on 136 points, 48 clear of Emma Felbermayr on 88. Nina Gademan sits third on 71, while Payton Westcott and Megan Bruce are tied on 49.
Palmowski heads into the weekend in strong form after her Feature Race victory at Zandvoort, while Westcott arrives fresh from claiming her maiden F1 Academy win. With 65 points available across three races, qualifying offered a crucial opportunity to gain an advantage.
Palmowski snatches double pole after dramatic Austin qualifying finale
Palmowski established herself as the driver to beat early in the session, improving to 2:08.485 before the final runs brought a dramatic change at the top of the timesheets.
Westcott briefly took provisional pole with a 2:07.812, putting the American in contention for her maiden pole position at her home round. Palmowski responded with a 2:07.714, going 0.098 seconds faster to reclaim the top spot.
The drama continued when officials initially deleted Palmowski’s lap for exceeding track limits at Turn 20. The decision was subsequently reversed, reinstating her time and confirming double pole for the championship leader. Westcott settled for second, with Nina Gademan completing the top three.
Felbermayr slips back as championship pressure builds
While Palmowski strengthened her title challenge, Felbermayr endured a difficult session. A wide moment through Turns 19 and 20 compromised a fast lap, leaving her ninth in the qualifying classification and 11th on the Opening Race grid.
The result gives Palmowski an opportunity to extend her 48-point championship advantage, while Felbermayr faces an important recovery drive. Gademan’s third-place qualifying result keeps her in contention to capitalise on any mistakes from the leading pair.
Granada shines as Jacquet secures career-best F1 Academy qualifying result
Natalia Granada qualified fourth, ahead of Alba Larsen in fifth and Lisa Billard in sixth. Jade Jacquet took seventh, securing her best qualifying result of the season so far, while Rafaela Ferreira completed the top eight.
Ferreira’s eighth place earns her pole for the Reverse Grid Race, where the top eight qualifiers start in reverse order. It gives the Brazilian a valuable opportunity to fight for victory, while the remaining drivers will be looking to make up ground across the weekend.
Rachel Robertson completed the top ten, followed by Megan Bruce, Ella Stevens, Ella Lloyd, Ava Dobson, wild-card entry Alexia Danielsson, Kaylee Countryman, Esmee Kosterman and Mathilda Paatz.
Three races, 65 points and a championship on the line in Austin
Austin features three races, with an additional Opening Race making up for races cancelled earlier in the season in Jeddah. Friday’s Opening Race uses drivers’ second-fastest qualifying laps to determine the grid, Saturday hosts the Reverse Grid Race and Sunday’s Feature Race follows the main qualifying order.
Palmowski now has two opportunities to start from pole and strengthen her grip on the championship. Westcott will be targeting a home victory, while Felbermayr needs a strong points haul to keep the title fight alive.
With 65 points on offer across the weekend, Austin could prove decisive in the battle for the 2026 F1 Academy championship.
