Alisha Palmowski was back to her winning ways after securing victory in F1 ACADEMY’s Opening Race at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix.
Finishing over ten seconds ahead of the field, Palmowski secured the checkered flag in a chaotic 17 Lap race. Behind her, Rookies Megan Bruce and Mathilda Paatz both picked up their maiden F1 ACADEMY podiums. While penalties and mechanical issues left Westcott down in 16th.
So Far This Weekend…
Alisha Palmowski continued her impressive 2026 form by securing double pole position during F1 ACADEMY qualifying in Montreal. The Red Bull Racing driver topped the session with a commanding lap, finishing nearly four tenths clear of the field at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
PREMA Racing’s Payton Westcott delivered one of her strongest performances of the season to take second, while Campos Racing driver Megan Bruce completed the top three and secured her first front-row start in the category. Palmowski’s second-fastest lap was also enough to seal pole position for the Opening Race, capping off a dominant qualifying display in Canada.
Lights Out on Opening Race
Lights were out on F1 ACADEMY’s Opening Race and it was Palmowski who had the best start. Behind her, Emma Felbermayr stalled off the line, dropping to the back of the field. AMEX’s Ava Dobson locked up in the opening lap, gaining a puncture and taking a trips to the pits. Natalia Granada was sent spinning in the final hairpin, dropping down to the back of the field.
While the top three all came through the first lap cleanly, it was Mathilda Paatz in fourth who was backing the field up. Ella Lloyd began to show her skills, gaining five positions in the opening lap. Heading into Lap 3, Lisa Billard picked up damage to her front wing, and was forced to put one lap later.
By Lap 5, Palmowksi escaped over three seconds up the road, while Bruce and Westcott began to battle for second. Lloyd went for a risky pass around Ella Stevens, the two Mclaren Academy Programme drivers swapping positions for ninth. Esmee Kosterman was the next driver forced into the pits, the LEGO Racing driver suffering from a rear wheel puncture.
Penalties Galore in Montreal
With ten laps to go, Westcott was given a five second time penalty for failing to follow race directors instructions. The Mercedes driver cut the final chicane during the opening laps. This put Paatz in the hot seat to pick up a maiden podium in F1 ACADEMY. Moments later, Kosterman was given a 5 second penalty for speeding through the pitman.
While Bruce looked to struggle through Lap 9, Westcott tried to go around the outside, before sending her PREMA over the grass and down into sixth. Paatz was now six tenths behind the TAG Heuer driver. Westcott continued to struggle, dropping down to seventh behind Nina Gademan, who was being investigated for cutting the final chicane.
Rafaela Ferreira and Alba Larsen were quickly closing on Paatz, their prior experience around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve proving critical as less than two seconds separated second and fifth. Lloyd continued her charge up the field, passing Kaylee Countryman for seventh.
With four laps to go, Westcott was forced into the pits. Her PREMA crew scooping grass out of her car. Palmowski continued to impress in Montreal, stretching her lead to over nine seconds. With Campos setting themselves up for their first double podium of the season, it was Paatz who continued to press Bruce for second.
Checkered Flag on Opening Race
With Minnie Mouse waving the checkered flag, it was Alisha Palmowksi who claimed her first victory of the season. Finishing over ten seconds ahead of Bruce, the Red Bull Racing driver moved up to the top of the Series Standings. Palmowski’s margin was also the largest winning margin in F1 ACADEMY history. Bruce managed to hold off Paatz, with both Rookies experiencing their maiden F1 ACADEMY podiums.
Ferreira and Larsen had to settle for fourth and fifth respectively. A late five second time penalty for Gademan dropped her down to ninth. Lloyd gained ten positions over 17 laps, finishing the Opening Race in sixth. Countryman held off Stevens for seventh, while Felbermayr secured the final point of the race in tenth.
In terms of the Teams Standings, Campos Racing was in prime position, securing first second and fourth. While PREMA secured valuable points with Paatz after Westcott finished in 16th. Felbermayr hangs onto second in the Series Standings ahead of Ferriera who sits in third ahead the Reverse Grid and Feature Race.
F1 ACADEMY will return tonight at 23:05 GMT for the Reverse Grid Race ahead of the Feature Race at 15:45 GMT on Sunday.
Feature Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool