F1 Academy Austin: Palmowski keeps double pole after reinstated lap as title chance looms

Alisha Palmowski will start both the Opening Race and the Feature Race from pole at the Circuit of the Americas after her fastest lap in Thursday's F1 Academy qualifying was deleted for track limits and later reinstated. The championship leader's 2:07.714 put her just under a tenth clear of Payton Westcott and leaves her well placed to wrap up the 2026 title in Austin, the penultimate round of the season.

A pole that was lost and regained

Qualifying on 22 October was dominated by track-limits checks. Palmowski's best lap was first struck off for exceeding the limits at Turn 20, briefly leaving Westcott, the Mercedes-backed driver, on provisional pole with a 2:07.812. After the session the lap was reinstated, restoring Palmowski, the Red Bull-backed driver, to the top by 0.098 seconds.

Nina Gademan qualified third and Natalia Granada fourth, with Alba Larsen, Lisa Billard, Jade Jacquet, Rafaela Ferreira, Emma Felbermayr and Rachel Robertson completing the top ten. Ferreira's eighth place gives her pole for the Reverse Grid Race, according to Racers Behind the Helmet. Several drivers, including Robertson and Felbermayr, had laps deleted for track limits.

Bad news for the closest rival

Felbermayr is second in the standings, so her ninth place was the most important result behind Palmowski's. The Austrian lost time through deleted laps and a lock-up at Turns 19 and 20. Gademan, third in the championship, starts the Opening Race from third.

How Palmowski can clinch the title

Before Austin, Palmowski had 136 points, 48 ahead of Felbermayr on 88, with Gademan third on 71, according to Pit Debrief's analysis. There are 65 points available at COTA across the three races, including the Feature Race pole bonus, and 39 more at the Las Vegas finale.

The simplest way to read it: if Palmowski leaves Austin at least 40 points ahead of every rival, she is champion, because only 39 points remain. Starting 48 clear, she can afford to drop no more than eight points net to Felbermayr over the weekend. Pit Debrief also notes that scoring 57 points in Austin would put her beyond Felbermayr's maximum regardless of other results. Narrower margins could still be enough on countback.

Race times in Malaysia

The Opening Race starts at 17:50 local time on Friday, which is 6.50am on Saturday 24 October in Malaysia. The Reverse Grid Race follows at 7am on Sunday 25 October, Malaysia time, and the Feature Race at 1am on Monday 26 October. Larsen, who qualified fifth, has already been confirmed as the first driver on the 2027 F1 Academy grid.

Key takeaways

• Palmowski's 2:07.714 was deleted for Turn 20 track limits, then reinstated, giving her pole for the Opening and Feature races.
• Westcott was second by 0.098 seconds, with Gademan third and Granada fourth.
• Ferreira takes Reverse Grid Race pole after qualifying eighth.
• Title rival Felbermayr qualified only ninth; Palmowski leads her by 48 points with 104 left before the weekend.

FAQ

Can Alisha Palmowski win the F1 Academy title in Austin? Yes. She led Felbermayr by 48 points before the weekend. If she leaves Austin with a lead of 40 points or more over everyone, the title is hers because only 39 points remain in Las Vegas.

Who starts on pole for the Reverse Grid Race? Rafaela Ferreira, who qualified eighth, according to Racers Behind the Helmet.

What time are the F1 Academy races in Malaysia? 6.50am on Saturday 24 October, 7am on Sunday 25 October, and 1am on Monday 26 October.

Sources: Pit Debrief, Racers Behind the Helmet, Formula1.com, Motorsport Week