Nina Gademan picked up the first victory of the 2026 F1 Academy Season. Natalia Granada and Emma Felbermayr rounded out the podium in Race 1.
After picking up reverse grid pole position, Gademan pulled off an impressive pole to flag victory. Rookie Granada impressed in her first F1 Academy outing, while Felbermayr made some last minute overtakes for third.
This Weekend So Far
Alisha Palmowski hit the ground running for her 2026 Season. The Red Bull supported driver topped the timesheets for the only practice of the weekend. Four and a half tenths ahead of the field, the Red Bull supported driver led Alba Larsen and Payton Westcott.
Palmowski continued her form into Qualifying claiming her the first pole position of her career. Behind her, Larsen will start Sunday’s Race from second. Emma Felbermayr will start from the second row after Qualifying third.
However, it was the charge of the Rookies. Lisa Billard, Payton Westcott and Natalia Granada all qualified in the top seven. Nina Gademan will start Race 1 from reverse grid pole after qualifying eight.
Lights Out on Race 1
It was Nina Gademan who got the best start of the field, pulling away from Natalian Granada. While Rafaela Ferreira made her move off the line into third, Payton Westcott was quick to challenge for the podium position.
With only 13 laps, it was Lisa Billard who got dropped off the start. The Gatorade supported driver dropped from third down to eighth. With four drivers competing in their first F1 Academy race, it was a fairly clean start around the Shanghai International Circuit.
With only four seconds separating the top nine, Ella Lloyd was quick to pressure Billard. Just like qualifying, Alisha Palmowksi and Alba Larsen fought for sixth. The two returning drivers proving the be the front runners of the Championship so far.
Damage for Paatz and Larsen
After a mechanical issue yesterday, Mathilda Paatz was forced into the pits in Race 1 with a damaged front wing. The Aston Martin supported driver was back onto the circuit by Lap 5.
Nina Gademan has continued to grow her lead as the race ticked onto lap 7. Pulling over one second ahead of Granada, the MP Motorsport driver was on track to secure her first victory of 2026.
Further back in the pack, the overtakes started to happen. After attempting to pass Emma Felbermayr, Larsen damaged her front wing. The Ferrari backed driver brought out the first Safety Car of the Race.
Green Flags in Shangahi
After two laps under Safety Car conditions, F1 Academy was away once more. Nina Gademan got the best of the restart but it was Larsen who took a trip through the gravel. On Lap 10, Lloyd was able to pass Billard for seventh.
Felbermayr showed her experience on Lap 10. The Audi supported driver made her around Westcott. The Mercedes driver then ran wide, dropping her down to sixth. In her opening race, Granda was on track for her maiden podium. The Spanish driver wash challenging Gademan for the lead, only four tenths behind.
On Lap 11, a three way battle between Ella Stevens, Ava Dobson and Rachel Robertson allowed Billard to escape up the road. Puma’s Robertson got three best of the group, moving up to ninth. One lap later, Dobson was able to steal back her ninth position.
Felbermayr and Ferreira continued to change placed for the final podium position. On the final lap, Flebermayr was able to secure her first podium of her Championship challenge. Elsewhere on track, Paatz was able to climb up to 14th. The Prema driver was over 50 seconds behind the field less than ten laps ago.
Gademan Takes Checkered Flag
Gademan takes her first victory of the season in Race 1 of the 2026 F1 Academy season. Granada held onto second, being the highest placed rookie. While Felbermayr was able to hold onto third sealing out the podium.
Behind her, Campos’ Ferreira and Palmowski picked up valuable points in fourth and fifth respectively. Westcott was able to hold off a charging Lloyd for sixth while Billard picked up the final podium place in eight.
Elsewhere, Paatz was able to climb up to 14th. The Prema driver was over 50 seconds behind the field on Lap 5.
F1 Academy returns on Sunday for Race 2 of the Championship. Palmowksi will lead the field away at 10:40am local time (2:40am GMT).
Feature Image Credit: F1 Academy