Ferrari academy driver Maya Weugh set the fastest time in F1 Academy qualifying in China, securing pole position for Race 2 at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Returning for her second season, Weug guided her Ferrari-liveried MP Motorsport machine to a time of 2:03.379s, four tenths faster than Mercedes-backed PREMA driver Doriane Pin.

The duo were close rivals in 2024 and will launch from the front row in Race 2 on Sunday, but with Race 1 being a reverse grid event, Weugh and Pin will line up eighth and seventh respectively on Saturday.

Third fastest was 16-year-old rookie Alba Larsen in her Tommy Hilfiger-liveried car with Red Bull Ford driver and F1 Academy race winner Chloe Chambers fourth.

Red Bull-backed Alisha Palmowski posted the fifth fastest time late on in the session and fellow rookie Joanne Ciconte went sixth fastest in the F1 Academy car.

Sauber rookie Emma Felbermayr was seventh fastest and PREMA-operated Alpine driver Nina Gademan will take the reverse grid pole after going eighth fastest in qualifying.

Positions ninth through 18th will start both races from their qualifying position.

Aston Martin’s sophomore driver Tina Hausmann missed out on reverse grid pole by less than a tenth of a second, as 0.930s covered the top nine in qualifying.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Chloe Chong rounded out the top-10.

McLaren’s new F1 Academy driver Ella Llyod was 11th quickest, ahead of AMEX driver Nicole Havrda.

Despite going 13th fastest in qualifying, Racing Bulls-backed Rafaela Ferreira will line up for both races from 16th on the grid after causing a collision with Williams’ Lia Block in practice.

Puma’s Aurelia Nobels, Haas’ Courtney Crone and Tag Heuer’s Aiva Anagnostiadis, plus wildcard Shi Wei rounded out the classified runners in qualifying.

Block couldn’t compete due to damage sustained to her machine in practice.

READ MORE – F1 Academy sets groundbreaking partnership with More than Equal

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Two of the leading organisations for the betterment of female racing drivers, F1 Academy and More than Equal have joined forces.

F1 Academy, in its third season, is a Formula 4 level female-only world championship with backing from all 10 Formula 1 teams plus several globally recognised brands.

More than Equal meanwhile, is a female-focussed driver development initiative conducting groundbreaking research and data-driven research methods to unearth, develop and nurture the first female F1 champion.

As of Friday, More than Equal becomes the Official Driver Performance & Research Partner for F1 Academy and will provide “expert, research-driven, insights that will help to develop the physical and mental performance of female drivers in F1 Academy and senior karting categories.”

Tom Stanton, CEO and Head of Driver Development at More than Equal said “This partnership represents a major step forward in creating a clear, data-driven pathway for female drivers. 

“By combining More than Equal’s expertise in research and performance with F1 Academy’s commitment to driver progression, we are ensuring that talented young women receive the support they need at every stage of their motorsport journey.”

F1 Academy Managing Director joins More than Equal board

More than Equal will collaborate with F1 Academy on research initiatives and devise a structured plan to guide female drivers through their development.

F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff takes up a position on the More than Equal advisory board as part of the partnership, which will see a dedicated physiotherapist provided to the all-female racing series throughout the year.

“More than Equal is fueling meaningful progress with insightful, industry-leading research,” said Wolff. 

“By coming together, and with the committed support of More than Equal, we will be an even stronger force for positive change in motorsport – with action, not just words.”

Dr. Fran Longstaff, Head of Research at More than Equal, added: “If we want to see real change in female participation at the highest levels of motorsport, we need to take an evidence-based approach. 

“Our research will provide the data and insights needed to shape effective talent development strategies, ensuring female drivers have the right support structures in place to succeed.”

READ MORE – More than Equal unveils research on gender equality in Drag Racing

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The all-female racing series F1 Academy is set to return to screens next weekend during the Chinese Grand Prix.

F1 Academy has made some key structural changes to the series ahead of its third season running, including the expansion of the grid.

This season is set to be one of the most exciting yet, with fresh faces joining the grid alongside established talents.

Changes to the 2025 F1 Academy calendar

2025 will see F1 Academy run for seven rounds across six countries and three different continents.

The series will kick off in China at the Shanghai International Circuit this weekend before returning to Saudi Arabia in April.

F1 Academy will also return to Miami for Round 3 before racing in Canada for the very first time alongside F1.

The drivers will then return to Zandvoort and Singapore for Rounds 5 and 6, and will wrap up the championship in Las Vegas in November.

The revamped structure of an F1 Academy race weekend

In its third season running, F1 Academy has revamped its race weekend format to include a reverse grid format.

The three-day weekend will begin with two Free Practice sessions on a Friday, lasting up to 40 minutes each.

Qualifying will take place on either Friday or Saturday, with only 30 minutes for drivers to set their fastest times.

F1 Academy has made Race 1 a reverse grid race, set by reversing the top eight drivers’ qualifying times.

Drivers who qualified ninth place and under will start Race 1 in the position they secured during qualifying.

Race 1 will take place on a Saturday, awarding only the top eight drivers with points, and an extra point for the fastest lap.

Race 2 on Sunday will take the traditional race format of drivers starting where they qualified, fighting for the full 25 points on offer.

F1 Academy points allocations

How Formula 1 supports F1 Academy

F1 Academy is a Formula 1 feeder series featured on the ‘support series’ programme, which means they compete during F1 weekends.

Building on the partnership established last season with F1, all ten F1 teams are required to ‘nominate’ a driver to the grid.

This often takes the form of F1 teams adopting these young female drivers into their academies, while some teams may nominate the driver for just one campaign.

Drivers who do not have the backing of F1 teams can be supported by other F1 Academy partners including American Express, Tommy Hilfiger, and Charlotte Tilbury.

What is an F1 Academy Wild Card driver?

F1 Academy introduced Wild Card drivers last season in an effort to showcase local female talent from the regions they race in.

These one-off entries gave drivers like Courtney Crone and Nina Gademan a chance to show their skills on a global scale.

Since its introduction last season, Wild Card entries have been incredibly useful for spotting and signing talent.

Wild Card entrants like Crone and Gademan put in strong debut performances and have been nominated by F1 teams for full-time seats this season.

The first confirmed Wild Card entrant is Chinese driver Wei Shi, who will make her F1 Academy debut in the opening round in Shanghai.

What teams and drivers are competing in 2025?

The expansion of the F1 Academy grid to 18 drivers has added the team of Hitech TGR to the field.

Hitech TGR will host the Wild Card seat alongside two full-time drivers, F1 Academy rookies Nicole Havrda and Aiva Anagnostiadis.

Championship winners, PREMA Racing retain 2024 runner-up Doriane Pin and Aston Martin’s Tina Hausmann while adopting former wild card driver Nina Gademan.

Rodin Motorsport replaced title-winner Abbi Pulling with three new faces; McLaren’s Ella Lloyd, American driver Chloe Chong, and rookie Emma Felbermayr.

Spanish team Campos Racing employ three Red Bull-nominated drivers in Chloe Chambers, Rafaela Ferreira, and Alisha Palmowski.

MP Motorsport has also replaced their line-up with third-place finisher Maya Weug and 16-year-old rookies Joanne Ciconte and Alba Larsen.

Retaining two 2024 drivers in Aurelia Nobels and Lia Block, ART Grand Prix enhanced its line-up with Wild Card driver Courtney Crone.

Where to watch F1 Academy 2025: F1 Academy will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports during Formula 1 race weekends.

The post What to expect from F1 Academy 2025 appeared first on Motorsport Week.

The all-female racing series F1 Academy is set to return for a third season with a mixture of returning drivers and fresh faces for the Shanghai season opener.

Some key changes to the structure and format of the all-female series, most notably the addition of a sixth team to the grid, have been made.

Hitech TGR has joined F1 Academy alongside fellow junior teams ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, MP Motorsport, PREMA Racing, and Rodin Motorsport.

Only six drivers from last season have returned to the series, including runner-up Doriane Pin and Maya Weug, while championship winner Abbi Pulling moves on to GB3.

With a crop of new female racers looking to make their mark, who are the 18 drivers gearing up for the third F1 Academy season?

PREMA Racing may have the strongest drivers

PREMA Racing has so far won all the Team Championships in F1 Academy, granted we are only two seasons down.

With what appears to be the strongest line-up, PREMA has retained the 2024 runner-up Doriane Pin and Aston Martin’s Tina Hausmann.

Mercedes’ Doriane Pin finished over 100 points behind the 2024 championship winner Abbi Pulling, after a mid-season injury impacted some of her races.

Swiss driver Hausmann achieved a best finish of P4 in the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, securing a 10th place finish in the standings.

Nina Gademan, backed by Alpine, joins the Italian team after her brilliant Wild Card performance in Zandvoort saw her score points in both races.

All three drivers have much to fight for this season, but it could be the Iron Dame Pin who is the greatest threat.

Rodin Motorsport has revamped its line-up

The Teams’ Championship runner-ups Rodin Motorsport has enlisted an entirely new line-up for the 2025 season.

McLaren-supported driver Ella Lloyd joins the Kiwi team after a strong Wild Card performance in Singapore saw her earn points in both races.

The British driver sits alongside returning driver Chloe Chong, who took a break from F1 Academy to compete in British F4 last year.

Chong will be supported by Charlotte Tilbury while teammate Emma Felbermayr joins the grid with Kick Sauber.

18-year-old Felbermayr will make her single-seater debut after making the jump from the WSK-Karting and the World and European Championships.

Can Rodin take the fight to PREMA after their championship-winning driver Abbi Pulling moved on?

Campos Racing employ all three Red Bull drivers

The Spanish Campos team finished third in the standings last year but looks stronger than ever, employing two new drivers for 2025.

American driver Chloe Chambers remains with the team for her second season, but partners with Red Bull Ford for her sophomore campaign.

Chambers picked up a victory in Barcelona and secured three podium finishes in 2024, finishing sixth in the Drivers’ standings.

The team welcomes Brazilian driver Rafaela Ferreira, supported by Racing Bulls, in her first global racing series after competing in South America.

Ferreira joins teammate Alisha Palmowski who was the best performing Wild Card driver in 2024, qualifying sixth and fourth in Lusail before securing a P5 finish.

2024 GB4 vice-champion Palmowski rounds off the Red Bull-supported team, joining forces with the F1 powerhouse for 2025.

MP Motorsport welcomes two new drivers

Dutch team MP Motorsport also has a new line-up for 2025, welcoming two new drivers alongside third-place finisher Maya Weug.

Scuderia Ferrari Academy driver Weug starts a new adventure with MP Motorsport after securing seven podiums and a win with PREMA last year.

The Dutch driver will be joined by newcomer Joanne Ciconte, supported by F1 Academy, who will make the jump from F4 series this year.

Ciconte is the youngest driver on the grid at 16 years old, joining fellow 16-year-old Alba Larsen.

Tommy Hilfiger-supported Larsen will make her full-time single-seater debut this year after being selected as a 2023 FIA Girls On Track Rising Stars finalist.

Weug is most likely to challenge the Iron Dame Pin for the title this year, but can her young teammates cause an upset?

ART Grand Prix retains familiar faces

ART retains two of its 2024 drivers for this season, enhancing its line-up with 2024 Wild Card driver Courtney Crone.

The American driver will be supported by Haas in her first full season of racing single-seaters after winning the 2023/2024 IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship.

Puma-supported driver Aurelia Nobels embarks on her second F1 Academy season after securing a best finish of fifth place and six appearances in the points last year.

Lia Block continues her single-seater excursion with support from Williams Racing, continuing the transition from rallying.

The American rally champion secured two P4 finishes in Singapore last season, finishing eighth overall in the standings.

ART hope to use their experienced returning drivers to earn more points this season, and target a third-place finish in the standings.

New team Hitech TGR brings three new rookies

Newcomers Hitech TGR joins F1 Academy in its third season, welcoming three new drivers to the grid.

Canadian driver Nicole Havrda joins the pack supported by American Express after securing three titles in Formula Pro USA Winter Series, SFR FA2.

Hitech also welcomes Tag Heuer-supported driver Aiva Anagnostiadis who secured a place in the 2023 Alpine Rac(H)er Academy Programme.

Rounding off the grid, Shi Wei is the first Chinese driver to compete in F1 Academy with support from Juss Sports.

Wei is a FIA F4 Chinese Championship Challenge Cup winner, and has competed in the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR86 Cup and the China Endurance Championship.

With fresh faces ready to make their marks, Hitech has a line-up full of rookies that could potentially change the game.

The series kicks off on March 21 with a season opening round in Shanghai, China.

READ MORE – Susie Wolff discusses the “F1 Academy effect” in grassroots motorsport

The post Who are the 18 F1 Academy drivers competing in 2025? appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Reigning F1 Academy Champion Abbi Pulling has said she will focus purely on herself and her performances as she readies herself for her debut season in the GB3 Championship.

Pulling, who stormed to the F1A title with nine wins in 15 races, earned her seat with Rodin Motorsport as part of her successful campaign, and has also become an ambassador for the British-based New Zealand racing team.

In doing so, she has severed ties with Alpine, having been contracted to its academy for almost three years.

The UK-based series is beginning to gain traction with motorsport fans, with many of its drivers going on to compete in FIA-affiliated series, and Pulling, in an exclusive interview with Motorsport Week, recognised the enormity of the opportunity that faces her.

“I think the GB3 championship’s great,” she said. “I mean, first off, having the prize from winning F1 Academy to compete in it is a dream come true and without that, I wouldn’t be in it, so I’ve got to make sure I acknowledge that.

“It’s been breeding some Formula 2 drivers now, the likes of Luke Browning, and he’s jumped in an F1 car a few times. 

“But even so, that was the old car, whereas now it’s even faster, got even more downforce, got DRS, there’s lots more gadgets to play at, which is then making it, again, a step closer to that FIA F3 spec car and better preparation for drivers that want to jump into the F3 and 2.”

Since this interview, Pulling has now begun preparations for the season, which commences at Silverstone on April 26-27.

This week’s pre-season testing at Snetterton saw Pulling classified in fourth and sixth place respectively in both sessions.

On both days, she ended the day over a second faster than fellow F1A alumni Bianca Bustamante, and only between three to five tenths off team-mate Alex Ninovic, runner-up in GB4 last year.

Despite already being a race-winner in British Formula 4, Pulling acknowledges that being in a mixed-gender championship, along with her ever-growing profile, might place some extra attention on her, but seems totally unfazed about the task ahead.

“I think winning F1 Academy and being a female going into a mixed class at a higher level, I have a lot of eyes on me and a lot of people that will have their opinions, but to be honest, I’m just going to have my blinkers on, focus on myself, focus on what I need to do and the performance on track. I think, that’s the thing that’s most important to me.

“I just want to help the team progress and understand the car better, as well as myself. I’ll hopefully progress throughout the season and, yeah, get some results, hopefully.”

Abbi Pulling: ‘I’d like to try my hand’ at Formula E in the future

On top of her barnstorming F1A win, Abbi Pulling played an instrumental part in the success of the all-women’s Formula E test that took place at Circuito Jarama in November last year.

In a first for an FIA World Championship, the test was comprised 18 drivers across the 11 FE teams on the grid, and Pulling set the fastest time – a 1:30.889s, three tenths quicker than second-placed Jamie Chadwick.

Despite having never driven an FE car before, Pulling’s time was just under 3.5s of the fastest time of the whole week, set by Mitch Evans.

Pulling’s connections with Alpine helped her secure her seat with Nissan for the test [the two teams are both based in Viry, France], and conveyed her gratitude to the Japanese marque for making the opportunity happen.

“Yeah, it was fantastic,” she said. “I can’t thank Tommaso [Volpe, Team Principal] and Dorian [Boisdron, Technical Director] enough for that opportunity to jump in the car. 

“It was a really, really fun test, although it was, half a day…it was limited, it was still really vital and useful, and I learned a lot, [and] great working with the team.

“After that, I’ve kind of put a foot in the door in the Formula E paddock. It’s something that I’ve always spoke I’d like to try my hand at, and it’s just made me that much more keen to get involved and see if there’s any opportunities in the future, whether that be with Nissan or someone else.”

Formula E has announced a second women’s test for this autumn, which may give Pulling such an opportunity, but for now, her career is set to take a brand-new turn as she places her feet on yet another new rung of the motorsport ladder.

READ MORE – Formula E confirms women’s test for October 2025

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F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff discusses the “F1 Academy effect” in grassroots motorsports with female participation levels increasing to 25%.

Wolff took to the F1 Acacemy helm shortly before its inaugural season in 2023 and set out to diversify motorsport’s playing field.

In two years Wolff has sent two champions to FRECA and GB3, facilitated driver signings in F1 team driver programmes, and helped boost female participation levels in motorsport.

During an interview with Goodwood, Wolff explained: “We’ve never had so much female participation – 25 per cent – and when you speak to those in the world of karting, they’re calling it the F1 Academy effect.” 

“We’re giving that huge female fan base the impression that, ‘Okay, this sport isn’t just for men’, and I think that’s one of the big hurdles that we have to break down, particularly for the next generation.

“They need to see these young women in race suits, on the pit wall and in the garages for them to believe that they can do it.

“I don’t have the hard numbers and the data, but I certainly feel a wave of impact.”

The “F1 Academy effect” in karting

Not only does Wolff run the single-seater racing series, but she has also created several new opportunities for females participating in grassroots motorsport.

F1 Academy scouts female drivers from karting centres across the world, offering them sponsorships and connections with their number of high-profile partners.

Some of F1 Academy’s partners include Tommy Hilfiger, Charlotte Tilbury, Puma, Pirelli, Red Bull, and American Express.

Wolff continued: “With the huge exposure we’ve managed to gather in year one, and bearing in mind that we have nearly all the F1 broadcasters with us, the fact we’re racing with F1, that we have brands like Charlotte Tilbury and Tommy Hilfiger helping us reach a brand new audience, I think we really are changing that perception.

“I think we’ve achieved a lot this year. We’ve already announced we’re increasing to more cars for next season.

“So I think we’re off to a very solid start. But this is a long-term project, and we’ll only see the results kind of mid-term.

“So, it’s about continuing to progress, continuing to make sure we make the right decisions, to make sure, for example, that our champion progresses in the right way.”

Wolff on F1 Academy’s exposure for drivers

Exposure is not just limited to brands, female drivers spotted by F1 Academy have the chance of building relationships with F1 teams.

The sophomore season of F1 Academy saw the relationship with F1 broaden, with all ten teams required to sponsor an F1 Academy driver on the grid.

This has given drivers like Abbi Pulling and Doriane Pin the chance to be signed into both Alpine and Mercedes’ driver programmes respectively.

“I was always very ambitious with my plans for F1 Academy, racing, with F1, getting the F1 teams on board, and of course, it was up to us to show them that this was a platform that was going to be impactful.

“In the end, I don’t want the success of F1 Academy to be judged on if I get one girl into Formula 1.

“I think it will come down to finding that exceptional talent because to make it to F1 you need to be exceptional.

“But you also need to have the right trajectory, and that means having the funding, getting into the right team and getting noticed by the right people.

“The more that we are existing, the more the involvement from the Formula 1 teams, means they will know when we come across an outstanding talent.”

The third season of the all-female series is set to kick off on the 21st of March with a season-opener at the Shanghai International Circuit.

READ MORE – Red Bull sign Alisha Palmowski for 2025 F1 Academy assault

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Abbi Pulling’s recent triumph in the F1 Academy has solidified her status as one of motorsport’s most promising talents.

Securing nine wins and 14 podiums, she clinched the championship title, earning a fully funded seat with Rodin Carlin in the 2025 British GB3 Championship. This achievement is particularly significant given the financial hurdles she previously faced, which forced her to exit British F4 in 2021. 

The effect of more visibility in a digital age

Pulling’s journey underscores the critical role of sponsorships and financial backing in a driver’s career progression. Support from top entities like the Alpine Formula 1 team has been instrumental in her development, enabling her to compete at higher levels and showcase her talent on prominent platforms.

With the motorsport world now augmented by digital platforms like social media and online sportsbooks, the spotlight on female racers has begun shining a lot brighter these days, with Abbi Pulling already an icon among them. The growing popularity of the best offshore sportsbooks among sports betting enthusiasts has also added a new dimension to following emerging talents like Pulling. 

These platforms offer competitive odds and a broader range of betting options, attracting fans seeking diverse wagering opportunities. For instance, ahead of the F1 Academy season, some offshore sportsbooks listed Pulling as a +150 favourite to win the championship, reflecting her rising prominence in the sport. These sites are offshore in the sense that they operate overseas and are regulated by trusted bodies. 

The appeal of these platforms lies in their accessibility, the variety of betting markets they offer, and promotional incentives, making them a popular choice for motorsport fans looking to engage more deeply with the sport. While motorsport as a whole has been greatly benefiting from such trends, they’ve had a far more pronounced effect on female iterations of it.

Challenges and future prospects

Despite her rapid ascent, Pulling acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead, particularly the limited number of seats in Formula 1 and the physical demands of higher-tier racing categories. She remains realistic about the obstacles and her iron will make her determined to continue her progression, aiming to break barriers and inspire a new generation of female drivers. 

Pulling’s success comes at a time when female engagement in motorsport is on the rise, with more brands and sponsors recognizing the value of diversity in the sport. Her achievements and many sterling race wins not only highlight her personal talent and resilience but also signify a broader shift towards inclusivity within the racing community. 

This momentum has encouraged more young women to consider motorsport as a viable career path, challenging traditional perceptions and broadening the sport’s appeal. Pulling’s rise serves as a crucial example of how representation and opportunity can redefine what’s possible in the racing world.

Abbi Pulling’s journey from financial setbacks to championship success exemplifies the transformative power of talent combined with adequate support. As she prepares for the upcoming GB3 season, the motorsport world watches with anticipation, eager to witness the next chapter in her already impressive career. 

Her story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that with determination and the right opportunities, barriers in motorsport can be overcome. By continuing to excel, Pulling could pave the way for future generations, proving that passion and perseverance are just as critical as sponsorship and resources in breaking new ground.

The post Abbi Pulling’s meteoric rise in motorsport appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Red Bull has signed Alisha Palmowski to its 2025 F1 Academy roster, but who is the 18-year-old British sensation? Motorsport Week spoke exclusively with Palmowski to discuss her career to date and what drives her moving forward.

A lifelong Formula 1 fan, racing is in Palmowski’s blood. “I’ve sort of always grown up with the influence of motorsport around me,” said Red Bull’s newest recruit. “Since my great-grandad was a BriscaF1 stock car racing driver. But yeah, so it was sort of by fluke that I got involved in motorsport myself. Because I’d been a huge fan of motorsport ever since I was 5 or 6 years old, watching motorsport on the TV. I was lucky enough to go to the British Grand Prix a few times when I was young. Sort of 2015, 2016 time. But it was just by complete chance, just as a fun activity to do with my grandparents on the 6-week holiday from school [that] they took me go-karting. ‘I was like, what’s a go-kart?’ I’d never even heard of it. So it was just completely by chance. I always think about where I would be now if I had never had that day. Because it’s completely changed the trajectory of my whole life and career.”

From karting to cars

Palmowski’s karting obsession turned from a hobby into a career in 2016 and ’17 when she competed in the Daytona Junior InKart Championship, before progressing into the BirelART Series UK in 2018, earning Junior Rookie Champion. The BirelART series was rebranded as the Daniel Ricciardo Series UK national championship in 2019 and Palmowski was Junior Vice Champion in 2020 and ’21. This period was pivotal for Palmowski, setting her on a path to car racing and single-seaters.

“[In the Daniel Ricciardo series] we got my own kart and it’s a national series, so we went all around the UK racing,” Palmowski explained. “And then that’s where it really started to transition from a hobby into a potential career path. Then we were sort of looking at how we make the transition into car racing and that happened via the Ginetta Junior Scholarship.”

After earning her stripes in the Ginetta Junior Scholarship programme, Palmowski contested two seasons in the Ginetta Junior Championship, a series that has nurtured F1 race winner Lando Norris, among others.

“You only have to look at the drivers who have come from Ginetta Juniors, as you mentioned, Norris, Zak O’Sullivan, Jamie Chadwick,” said Palmowski. “There’s been a lot of great drivers come through Ginetta Juniors. They’re extremely difficult cars to drive. They’re on road tyres rather than on slicks. So they’re designed naturally to be very, very loose cars. The car control that equips you with is unmatched really. It really changed my career and it made me into the driver I am today.

“I don’t think you can get much closer racing than Ginetta Juniors. It’s extremely tight. It really taught me to get my elbows out and to be a bit more tough and fight harder. So it helped develop my race craft and car control, which has directly translated into driving and racing a single-seater. So full credit to Ginetta Juniors because without even winning that scholarship, I think I’d have never even sat in a race car. So they really have changed my whole career.”

An accomplished single-seater debut

From Ginettas, Palmowski embarked on her first season in single-seaters, contesting the GB4 championship, which is considered a perfect entry point to open-wheel racing in the UK. Palmowski immediately hit the ground running, winning her first race at Oulton Park and she went on to take two further victories and eight podium finishes to end the year as vice-champion.

“GB4 this year has been absolutely incredible,” said Palmowski. “It’s more than I could have hoped for, to be honest. It was my first year in single-seaters, so it’s been a huge learning curve. There’s been a lot of differences compared to the Ginetta Juniors. Being on slick tyres has been the predominant change. Learning all the tyre warm-up routine, and degradation. In terms of the step up, actually, they’re around 30 seconds plus a lap quicker than Ginetta Juniors, the GB4 car. So extremely quick, a big, big step up. But yeah, to be honest, we exceeded expectations throughout this year.”

Palmowski revealed her target in GB4 was to turn enough heads for an F1 team to take her under its wing for a place in F1 Academy. In that sense, it’s mission accomplished and Palmowski credits the GB4 series organisers MSV and its commander-in-chief Jonathan Palmer.

“There was a lot of pressure to perform and try to get spotted by a Formula 1 team,” Palmowski said. “But winning the debut race at Oulton Park at the start of the year was just the best start that we could have ever hoped for. And I’ve progressed and grown in confidence throughout the whole year. I’m a much, much stronger driver now than I was at the start. So it really did serve its purpose. And without the GB4 championship again, I would never have raced a single-seater car. So that championship really did give me a great opportunity and finishing top female gave me a prize fund of €30,000 towards an F1 Academy drive. So huge shout-out to MSV and Jonathan Palmer for that opportunity because it’s helped massively.”

Getting noticed on the international stage

Not only did her stellar GB4 campaign get her noticed by Red Bull and F1 Academy, but Palmowski took 2024 BRDC Rising Star and BWRDC Gold Star honours. Moreover, Palmowski was among the top-10 nominees for this year’s Silverstone Autosport BRDC Award alongside the likes of Abbi Pulling and Arvid Lindblad. Previous winners include George Russell, Jenson Button and David Coulthard and the award is judged by some of British motorsport’s top brass. It’s just the recognition that can help propel a young driver’s career.

Palmowksi said it was “absolutely incredible” to be nominated for “such a prestigious award.”

The 18-year-old added: “The drivers who have won it previously in the past and also just been nominated is such a high calibre, such a high standard. So to be amongst the top-10, it was something that I’d aspired to achieve in the future, but not necessarily this year at this early stage in my career. It is still early doors. It’s my first year in single-seaters. Obviously, we didn’t progress any further [than the top-10], which, to be totally honest, I didn’t expect to. With the calibre of drivers, particularly this year, it was extremely high. But it is something that I definitely aspire to be nominated for again in the future. Fingers crossed if I can keep performing and keep delivering results. But it was just such a great feeling [top be nominated]. It’s sort of the top-10 best UK junior drivers in up-and-coming ranks to F1 that get nominated for that award. So it was a great, great moment and a great confidence booster for me too.”

From national recognition, Palmowski made her debut on the world stage with a wildcard appearance at the Qatar round of this year’s F1 Academy championship. Palmowski fared well, qualifying sixth and finishing fifth in the sole race at the Lusail International Circuit.

“[It was] my first time experiencing the F1 support paddock,” Palmowski explained. “Such an awesome vibe. The amount of people around you, the fans. It’s such a step up in every aspect. And I [absolutely loved] every second. Again, it’s a huge learning curve. There are lots of differences. There’s a lot more media.”

Alisha Palmowski: A member of the Red Bull family

Palmowski’s performances in 2024 grabbed the attention of Red Bull and she will wear the F1 giant’s colours for the 2025 F1 Academy campaign. Red Bull is famed for its wide network of junior drivers and is perhaps the perfect place to nurture talent, in equal parts ruthless and educational where only the best will thrive.

“Honestly, there’s not enough words to describe how grateful I am for the opportunity that I’ve been given,” Palmowski exclaimed. “It’s an absolute dream come true. I mean, Red Bull, they’re obviously an incredible team. They’re a team that I’ve admired for years growing up. Multiple world champions in F1. They aren’t where they are by accident.

“I’ve been given access to the factory. They’ve welcomed me so incredibly well. I could not have had more support from them, even though it is early doors. I start with them properly next season. But I can totally see how it’s going to help me progress and develop as a driver for the next stage of my career. The F1 Academy drivers get equal access to the actual Red Bull Junior drivers, so the development that’s going to do for my career is going to be incredible. I’m just so, so grateful for the belief that they’ve put in me and I hope I can do them proud next year.”

Going ‘full attack’ in 2025 and beyond

Palmowski’s plan for 2025 is to go “Absolutely full attack.” Just as her plan in 2024 was to get to F1 Academy, her plan next year is to win the all-female world championship.

“I think every one of the F1 Academy drivers should say that they want to be champion and they want to win,” Palmowski said. “I believe it’s the mentality a driver should have and I do believe we can give it a go. Although having said that, I’m totally aware and realistic of the challenge that that will be. It won’t be easy by any means. There’s going to be a lot of new drivers to the grid next year, so I’ll have an equal sort of experience level to them. But equally, there’s going to be some returnees as well who already know some of the circuits from this year that are returning to the calendar next year. So obviously they will have an upper hand and more experience in that respect. But then again, it’s a great opportunity for me to push myself, learn from them and try to be towards the front. I always say I’m never happy in a race car unless I’m winning at the front. So there’s always more time to be found. I’ll be doing everything I can. I know I’ve got a great support network around me in Red Bull and Campos as well. So I’m just super, super excited for it all to begin.”

This year’s F1 Academy champion, Pulling, has won a fully funded drive in GB3 next year with Rodin as her prize. GB3 is considered a natural stepping stone to the FIA Formula 3 World Championship, to which the doors are opened to the F1 ladder in the truest of senses. This is not lost on Palmowski and her strategy for the future is already forming.

“We as racing drivers, we naturally look towards the future,” Palmowski explained. “I think you do have to have some sort of a plan of where you want to be in the future and what you have to do in order to achieve that. But equally, I do like to work on a year-to-year basis because motorsport in every form is a results-based business and you’ve got to perform in order to be given opportunities in the future. So I’m really focussing on next year.

“I’m going to try to do the best job that I can do to be given that opportunity further into the future. The F1 Academy champion is being given a seat in GB3 for next year, which is incredible. It’s the next step up on the single-seated ladder in motorsport. So the aim is obviously to try and win the championship, to be given that opportunity to further my career in the future.”

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British rising star Alisha Palmowski has been signed to the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme for a 2025 F1 Academy title tilt.

Palmowski had a stellar 2024, her first year in single-seaters culminating in GB4 vice-champion honours.

Her performances put her on the map for an F1 Academy wildcard appearance in Qatar, where she impressed with a top-five finish in the sole contested race.

The 18-year-old now graduates to F1 Academy full-time next year with Red Bull following a successful career that has included campaigns in the Daniel Ricciardo Series (karting), Ginetta Juniors and GB4.

“I am incredibly excited and honoured to be joining the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Programme in F1 Academy for 2025,” said Palmowski.

“Oracle Red Bull Racing is one of the best teams on the grid, and to see the talent they have brought through the doors and to get to be a part of that next generation is something that I could never have imagined.

“The Team has been incredibly supportive so far, and I can’t wait to get fully underway with them in 2025 with the ultimate goal of winning the championship.

“I have already been working in the sim and with the team to get a jumpstart on next year and have full focus on performing and delivering results.”

Red Bull Academy Programme Manager, Sarah Harrington said: “Alisha impressed us from the start and has already proved herself on the F1 Academy grid as a Wild Card entrant in Qatar.

“We are very excited to welcome her to the Red Bull Academy Programme for 2025, and she is a great addition to complete our line-up as we look to next season.

“We’ve taken a lot of key learnings from our first year in F1 Academy, and are looking forward to building and pushing harder with a fresh challenge.”

Red Bull switching to Campos for 2025 F1 Academy campaign

Red Bull uses its Formula 1 platform to support three drivers in F1 Academy, through the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans, Visa Cash App RB and Red Bull Ford entries.

In 2024, those three machines were operated by MP Motorsport, but next year Red Bull has just confirmed it’s switching allegiances to Campos.

Red Bull already has a strong relationship with Campos with its junior drivers Arvid Lindblad and Pepe Marti signed with the team for the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship.

F1 Academy race winner Chloe Chambers will pilot the Red Bull Ford entry in 2025, continuing her 2024 relationship with Campos.

In the Visa Cash App RB machine, there will be another F1 Academy rookie in the form of Brazilian F4 race-winner Rafaela Ferreira.

READ MORE – 2025 F1 Academy grid expanding with Hitech

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Ferrari junior Maya Weug took her maiden F1 Academy in the season-ending Race 3 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

The Dutch driver capitalised on a chaotic start from sixth on the grid to take a dominant maiden victory ahead of Alpine’s Abbi Pulling and Tommy Hilfiger’s Nerea Marti.

Pulling lined up on pole alongside the American Haas-backed driver Chloe Chambers.

The F1 Academy champion led away at lights out but there was disaster behind.

Mercedes’ Doriane Pin tried to sweep around the outside of Chambers at Turn 1, but tagged the American’s front wing, spinning them both out.

Controversially it was Chambers who was penalised for the incident by the stewards.

That let Red Bull’s Hamda Al Qubaisi sweep into second, with Weug inheriting third on Lap 1 and the pair of them tagged onto the back of Pulling’s rear wing.

On Lap 2, Weug sent it down the inside of H. Al Qubaisi at Turn 5 and the pair went side-by-side down the long straight towards Turn 6, whereby the Ferrari driver completed the move to take second.

Meanwhile, the battle for second brought fourth-placed Marti and fifth-placed Bianca Bustamante into the battle.

However, a lap later Weug wasn’t concerned with those behind as she harried race leader Pulling

Lap 4, and a train of cars back from Pulling to 15th placed Aurelia Nobels showed this was the closest race of the season.

But McLaren’s Bustamante was overzealous into Turn 6, locking in and hitting into the side of H. Al Qubaisi.

The Red Bull driver held onto third as her McLaren counterpart dropped to sixth, but Bustamante was eventually awarded a 10-second penalty.

Weug then tried a move on Pulling for the race lead into Turn 6 a lap later, with the Alpine driver escaping the inside Turn 7 run-off and Weug going wide.

Had the Ferrari driver pulled off the move?

That was the question the stewards would need to answer as the Ferrari driver felt she had a claim for first place.

Weug didn’t need to wait for the stewards however as she lunged Pulling into to Turn 5 and had to fight side-by-side with the Alpine driver all the way down to Turn 9 to take the lead.

Meanwhile, H. Al Qubaisi had run wide at Turns 6 and 7, forcing her to desperately slot back into third in front of Marti and Emely de Heus.

Weug started to build a lead of over a second on Lap 7 as Pulling now had to fend off the gaggle of cars behind her in a desperate fight for second place.

By Lap 8, Weug’s lead was up to 2.5s as Pulling led a train from second down to 15th.

Prema-operated Ferrari driver Weug had stretched the lead to 3.6s by Lap 9, benefitting from using just one set of tyres in qualifying to have a fresh set for Race 3.

Pulling meanwhile, having used two sets in Saturday’s qualifying session, was struggling to hold onto her rubber in the final race of her title campaign.

The champion was fighting tooth and nail to keep H. Al Qubaisi at bay, lap after lap.

Such was Pulling’s cork in the bottle defence over second that Weug’s lead was a crazy 9s by Lap 11.

Meanwhile, Block was having her strongest race of the campaign, fighting through Bustamante and Marti to take fourth place.

H. Al Qubaisi’s pursuit of Pulling came to a sad end on Lap 12 as she was tagged by Block from behind at Turn 7, bringing out the Safety Car as she struggled to restart her Red Bull-liveried machine.

The Safety Car came in at the end of Lap 13, allowing a one-lap sprint to the chequered flag as Weug’s massive lead was neutralised.

Weug backed the pack up ahead of the restart and dropped the hammer in the final sector to lead with a handy 0.9s advantage across the line to start the final lap.

Pulling led the chasing pack with Block behind, but the American driver was carrying several penalties for offences including tagging H. Al Qubaisi.

Weug cooly took her maiden victory, signing off on the season by handing Prema the teams’ title as Pulling held onto second to maintain her 100% podium record.

Marti inherited the final podium spot and with several penalties throughout the grid, the top-10 behind differed from how it ran across the finish line.

Aston Martin’s Tina Hausmann took fourth ahead of Jessica Edgar, but the Amex-backed driver was later penalised for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

A five-second time penalty demoted Edgar from fifth to 12th.

That meant Pin’s fight-back brought her to fifth with Sauber’s Carrie Schreiner and Lola Lovinfosse taking sixth and seventh respectively.

That left Puma’s Nobels, Red Bull Ford’s de Heus and H. Al Qubaisi to round out the top-10.

READ MORE – Alpine’s F1 Academy star Abbi Pulling wins Race 2 in Abu Dhabi

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