Palmowski secures double F1 Academy pole in Austin

Alisha Palmowski secured double pole for F1 Academy’s Austin weekend after officials reinstated her fastest qualifying lap, putting the championship leader at the front for Friday’s Opening Race and Sunday’s Feature Race. Payton Westcott had briefly taken the top spot with a 2:07.812 lap, while Nina Gademan qualified third; Rafaela Ferreira claimed pole for the reverse-grid race. Track-limit penalties and a lock-up for Emma Felbermayr reshaped the order during the session. The Austin round features three races, added to the schedule after the cancellation of the Jeddah event. Palmowski arrived with a 48-point championship lead and can clinch the title with a sufficiently strong weekend, though she said the unfamiliar circuit and limited practice leave little room for mistakes.