Shanghai Qualifying

Date & Time
Fri 13th March 2026 2:10pm Local
Fri 13th March 2026 6:10am UTC

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League
F1 Academy

Season
2026

Round
Round 1

Status
FT

Location

Shanghai International Circuit

Video Highlights

Play on YouTube

Event Statistics

Description

The first qualifying session of the 2026 F1 Academy season at the Shanghai International Circuit is a high-stakes 30-minute shootout that sets the grids for both weekend races. The strategic narrative centers on the "mechanical necessity" of managing the Pirelli soft-compound tires through the abrasive high-load sections like the spiraling Turn 1 and the high-speed Turn 7-8 complex. The primary hurdle for the field is the limited running time; with only one practice session under their belts, drivers must quickly adapt their braking points for the Turn 14 hairpin, where the majority of overtaking—and mistakes—occur.

The headline story focuses on the battle between the second-year favorites and a highly touted rookie class. Tactically, teams must decide whether to send their drivers out early to bank a lap on a cooler track or wait for the surface to "rubber in" as the session progresses. For the returning drivers, the goal is to secure a front-row start for Race 2, while those qualifying near the 8th-place mark are strategically eyeing the reverse-grid pole for the opening race.

Reports

Result List

Result Description

Qualifying concluded with Alisha Palmowski delivering a dominant statement to open her title campaign, securing a maiden pole position with a blistering 2:04.182. The strategic narrative was defined by Palmowski’s composure; despite a brief Red Flag caused by Kaylee Countryman stopping on track, the Red Bull-backed driver consistently improved her benchmarks to finish over four-tenths clear of the field. The primary hurdle for the rest of the pack was matching Palmowski’s sector-three pace, where she utilized her experience to maximize the massive back straight.

Alba Larsen (Ferrari) secured a career-best second place, marking her first-ever front-row start in the series, while Emma Felbermayr rounded out the top three for Rodin Motorsport. Tactically, the session saw a late-stage reshuffle as Payton Westcott’s fastest lap was initially deleted for track limits but later reinstated by stewards, vaulting the Mercedes rookie back into P4. Further down the order, Nina Gademan (Alpine) strategically secured P8, which—under the series' reverse-grid format—earned her the pole position for Saturday’s Race 1.

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