Alisha Palmowski Takes Pole Position at COTA
The championship leader secured the top spot for the F1 Academy Opening Race on October 23.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Motorsports
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Alisha Palmowski secured the pole position for the F1 Academy race at the Circuit of the Americas during qualifying sessions. She heads into the opening race with a significant lead in the championship standings.
Why it matters
Palmowski holds a 48-point championship advantage heading into the final stages of the 2026 season. With 65 points available in the current triple-header format, every qualifying result carries high stakes for the season outcome.
Alisha Palmowski currently leads the championship by 48 points, a significant margin considering the 65 points available in this triple-header round. Payton Westcott qualified second after a 2:07.812 lap time was deleted due to track limits.
The players
Alisha Palmowski
The current F1 Academy championship leader who secured pole position.
Payton Westcott
The driver who qualified in second position after a lap time was deleted.
Emma Felbermayr
The driver who qualified in the ninth position for the upcoming race.
Nina Gademan
The racer who qualified on the second row of the grid.
Natalia Granada
The driver who earned a starting spot on the second row.
The details
Drivers completed their qualifying laps at the Circuit of the Americas on October 22, setting the grid for the upcoming US GP races. Payton Westcott secured the second spot despite seeing a fast lap time removed for exceeding track limits. Nina Gademan and Natalia Granada will start on the second row, while Emma Felbermayr qualified in ninth position.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: Qualifying session occurred at Circuit of the Americas.
October 23, 2026: Opening Race of the US GP takes place.
The Texas Context
The qualifying sessions at the Circuit of the Americas mark the fifth round of the 2026 F1 Academy championship season. This event continues the series' established pattern of hosting competitive triple-header rounds to decide the season standings.
Fans heading to the Circuit of the Americas for the US GP should prepare for high traffic levels around the track through the race weekend. The Opening Race is scheduled for October 23, finalizing the first stage of the event.
The takeaway
Follow the championship point totals closely as Palmowski attempts to extend her 48-point lead during this triple-header round. The upcoming Opening Race on October 23 will determine if the current qualifying order holds through the finish line.
Further reading
Find more coverage of local race events and series updates in our Motorsports section.
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