F1 Academy title fight heads to Austin: Palmowski leads Audi-backed Felbermayr by 48 points

Alisha Palmowski arrives at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin with a 48-point lead in the 2026 F1 Academy championship. She has 136 points to the 88 of Emma Felbermayr, with only five races and 104 points left. The series races at COTA from 22 to 25 October, alongside the United States Grand Prix.

The weekend could go a long way towards deciding the title. Austin offers 65 points over three races, and the Las Vegas finale offers 39 more.

How the standings look

After the Dutch Grand Prix round at Zandvoort, the top three are Palmowski (136), Felbermayr (88) and Nina Gademan (71). Alba Larsen is fourth on 50, with Payton Westcott and Megan Bruce on 49 each.

Felbermayr is part of the Audi Driver Development Programme. Rafaela Ferreira, 10th on 27, is mathematically out of title contention.

What the maths says

There are three races in Austin. The Opening Race and the Feature Race each award 25 points for a win plus one for fastest lap, and the Feature pole earns two more. The Reverse Grid Race gives 10 for a win plus one for fastest lap. That is 65 in total. Las Vegas has two races worth 39.

If Palmowski still leads by 40 or more after Austin, the title is decided, because only 39 points would remain. She can therefore lose up to eight points net to Felbermayr in Texas and still be safe. Felbermayr needs to gain at least 10 points on her in Austin to keep a clear path to the title in Las Vegas, according to Pit Debrief's analysis.

A tie on points would be settled by Feature Race wins, where Palmowski has three to Felbermayr's one.

New format in Austin

One qualifying session sets all three grids. The fastest lap decides the Feature Race grid, and the second-fastest sets the Opening Race order. The top eight reverse for the Reverse Grid Race. The Opening Race is new for Austin and Montreal.

Swedish driver Alexia Danielsson makes her weekend debut as the Austin wild card. Each race is 13 laps.

The chasing pack

Gademan is 17 points behind Felbermayr and 65 behind Palmowski. She needs a big Austin weekend, about 27 points more than the leader, to stay in outright contention for Las Vegas.

Key takeaways

• Palmowski leads Felbermayr 136 to 88 with 104 points remaining.
• Austin offers 65 points, Las Vegas 39.
• A lead of 40 or more after Austin would give Palmowski the title.
• Felbermayr must gain at least 10 points in Texas to keep a clear route.

FAQ

Q: How many races are left in the F1 Academy season? Five: three at Austin and two at Las Vegas.

Q: Can Palmowski win the title in Austin? Yes. If her lead is 40 or more after the Austin Feature Race, the 39 points in Las Vegas cannot overturn it.

Q: Where does the series race next after Austin? Las Vegas hosts the season finale.

Sources: Pit Debrief, F1 Academy, Females in Motorsport, Audi F1