Alisha Palmowski secures her second victory of the weekend in the F1 ACADEMY Feature Race at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix
In what was a drizzly Sunday morning in Montreal, F1 ACADEMY put on a show. With battles throughout the pack, it was Palmowksi who held on to secure victory. Behind her, a last lap overtake allowed Felbermayr to secure second. While Megan Bruce secured her second podium of the weekend finishing in third.
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 while Campos Racing driver Megan Bruce completed the top three.
Saturday morning’s Opening Race saw Alisha Palmowski was back to her winning ways after securing victory. 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.
Mathilda Paatz claimed her maiden F1 ACADEMY victory in a dramatic ending to the Reverse Grid Race at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix. In a race with two safety cars and multiple penalties, Paatz managed to stay out of trouble. Behind her, Alba Larsen finished second before a post race penalty demoting her to 11th. Kaylee Countryman was promoted to second, seeking her first podium in the series, while Payton Westcott secured third.
Lights Out for Final Canadian Race
Off the line, it was Palmowski who got the best start in a dreary Sunday morning in Montreal. With heavy spray limiting visibility, it was Westcott got off to. good start. However at the Turn 12 hairpin, with was Bruce who made her move for second.
Further back, it was Ella Lloyd who was once again making moves, the Mclaren driver charging up from 16th to tenth in the opening lap. However a nudge into Billard could jeopardise her position. The Gatorade driver was spend spinning in the opening corner, however, she was able to continue.
On Lap 3, it was Emma Felbermayr who began to close in on Westcott. After a standout opening weekend in Shanghai, the Audi driver looked to be on the podium once again. After being demoted off the podium yesterday, Larsen was looking to move up the field, holding off Gademan for sixth.
Chaos in the Midfield
On her own at the front of the field, Palmowski went wide at the hairpin. Lloyd and Billard’s contact was deemed a racing incident as the attention turned to the chase pack. Into the final chicane, Gademan dived down the inside of Larsen, who has to cut across the grass. This gave Rafaela Ferriera and Lloyd the opportunity to pass. However, later in the lap, the trio went three on the back straight before Lloyd was able to pass Ferreira for sixth.
However, Lloyd’s podium charge was cut short as the Welsh driver was send back to tenth after cutting through the final chicane. Natalia Granada was then brought into the mix, battling with the Racing Bulls driver for ninth. Their jostling gave Gademan a chance to escape up the road.
By Lap 9, Lloyd and Ferreira’s battle continued as the Brazilian blocked Lloyd at every turn. Larsen began to close in on Gademan as Felbermayr came within three tenths of Westcott. One lap later, it was Palmowski who had stretched her lead to over six seconds, behind her, Bruce was pulling away from the Mercedes driver.
Over the main straight, Larsen passed Gademan for sixth, holding the Apline driver off through the opening corner. The two MP Motorsport drivers continues to pressure each other, giving PREMA’s Paatz a chance to escape up the road for fifth.
Final Laps in Canada
At the back of the field, Esmee Kosterman’s LEGO car made contact with Rachel Robertsons car, sending both her and Jade Jacquet over the grass at the final chicane. Elsewhere, Ferriera was given a black and white flag for track limits. With four laps to go, Felbermayr continued to charge for third. Coming within two seconds of Westcott, the Austrian driver was unable to pass.
With slippery conditions making traction difficult, Felbermayr clipped the curb at Turn 2 on Lap 14. With the 17 lap Feature Race coming to a close, Felbermayr was able to pass after Westcott ran across the grass on the back chicane.
Kosterman was given a five second time penalty following her earlier contact, while Paatz began to close in on Westcott. Felbermayr picked up the fastest lap during the penultimate race as she came within six tenths of Bruce. The TAG Heuer rookies was starting to slip as the laps closed in.
Palmowski Secures Second Victory
Following her dominant victory in the Opening Race, Palmowski was once again over eleven seconds ahead as she rounded the back straight. Further back, Felbermayr passed Bruce for second place after the Campos driver had a nudge with the wall.
It was a dramatic ending for Palmowksi as she reported a loss of power in the final hairpin. However, the British was able to secure the checkered flag, finishing 10.9 seconds ahead of Larsen in second. Bruce claimed her second podium of the weekend, finishing three tenths ahead of Westcott.
It was tight for the remaining points, with Paatz also finishing three tenths clear of Larsen for fifth. Gademan held of Granada for seventh, with Lloyd only one tenth behind. Ferreira claimed the final points paying position in tenth.
Campos Racing leaves Montreal as clear favourites, securing two victories, two podiums, pole position and a front row lockout. Behind, Felbermayr continues Rodin Motorsports charge, while Paatz and Westcott secured valuable points for PREMA.
In the series standings, Palmowski edged out her lead, while Felbermayr brought herself back into the conversation for the lead. Bruce will jump up the order, while Lloyd and Larsen will be looking to improve in Round 3.
F1 ACADEMY returns in July at the 2026 British Grand Prix for Round 3. From the 3rd to the 5th of July, the series will race alongside Formula 3, Formula 2 and Formula 1.
Feature Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool