Emma Felbermayr was victorious in Race 2 of the 2026 F1 Academy at the Chinese Grand Prix.
After a dramatic final few laps, Alisha Palmowski and Payton Westcott rounded out the podium. The Audi supported driver claimed her maiden win of the season, jumping up to the top of the standings after back to back podiums.
This Weekend So Far…
It’s been the returning drivers that have dominated this weekend. 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 maiden F1 Academy pole position. 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 started Race 1 from reverse grid pole after qualifying eight. The MP Motorsport driver claimed her second victory in the series after 13 laps around the Shanghai International Circuit. Rookie Natalia Granada impressed in her first F1 Academy outing, while Emma Felbermayr made some last minute overtakes for third.
Lights Out in Shanghai
Alba Larsen was quick to steal the lead of Race 2 after Palmowski got off to a slow start. The Red Bull supported driver was also passed by Felbermayr before holding off Westcott. On the hunt for her first podium in the series, Larsen was quick to pull away from the field.
Behind them, Granada lost her front wing in the final corners of Lap One after a collision with Rafaela Ferreira. Ella Lloyd and Nina Gademan were both on an overtaking spree, moving up four and three positions respectively.
Heading into Lap 3, Felbermayr, Palmowksi and Westcott started to trade places. Their battle not only allowed Larsen to escape over two seconds up the road, but brought Gademan and Lloyd into the pack.
Yellow Flags and Safety Cars
Jade Jacquet and Esmee Kosternman were both forced to retire after a collision on Lap 6. Jacquet locked up into the back of Kosterman at Turn 14, bringing out the first Safety Car of the Race.
After three laps of neutralised racing, Larsen led the field away. However, after a snap of oversteer on the exit of Turn 16, Larsen dropped down to eighth after a run through the gravel. With only four laps left in Race 2, Felbermayr was now into the lead of Race 2. The Austrian driver, who is backed by Audi, had to hold off Palmowski who was only four tenths behind.
Elsewhere, Rachel Robertson carried too much speed into the final corner, running her Puma supported car through the gravel. The woes kept coming for Robertson after she had an incident with Wildcard Shi Wei, bringing out a second set of yellow flags. Both drivers were forced to retire from Race 2.
The battle for fourth between Gademan and Lloyd allowed Westcott to escape up the road. Westcott, who enters her rookie F1 Academy Season, was on track for her first podium in only her second outing.
Felbermayr Takes the Flag
With the yellow flags away and one final lap of racing, Felbermayr was able to hold off a charging Palmowski. As the checkered flag flew, Felbermayr claimed her second victory in F1 Academy. Only two tenths behind, pole sitter Palmowksi had to settle for second. Westcott held onto third to be the highest placed rookie in the standings.
Gademan held off Lloyd for fourth at the Chinese Grand Prix. Behind them, Rafaela Ferreira held off a quick Lisa Billard for sixth. While it was heartbreak for the rally race leader as Larsen finished the race in eight. Rookies Megan Bruce and Ava Dobson claimed the final points paying position of Race 2, finishing ninth and tenth respectively.
After the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, F1 Academy will return on the 22nd of May at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix.
Feature image Credits: F1 Academy