Alba Larsen put Ferrari firmly into the fight at the front of the F1 Academy Opening Race in Austin, applying sustained pressure for victory before ultimately finishing third at the Circuit of the Americas. The Danish driver produced consecutive fastest laps while chasing leader Alisha Palmowski, but unfortunately an earlier off-track overtake and a dramatic final restart changed the order of the podium.
Alba Larsen had moved into second place ahead of Nina Gademan and spent much of the race closing on Palmowski. However, she was later required to return the position because of the circumstances surrounding that pass. Gademan therefore finished second, while the Ferrari driver completed the podium to secure silverware for a third consecutive race.
Alba Larsen brings Ferrari into the fight for the Austin win
Palmowski had started the Opening Race from pole position, but Payton Westcott produced the stronger launch and took the lead into Turn 1. The Mercedes driver then struggled for traction on the exit, allowing Palmowski to draw alongside and recover first place through Turns 7 and 8.
Westcott’s problems continued when she ran wide at Turn 9 and fell from podium contention to eighth. Almost immediately, contact involving Megan Bruce, Rafaela Ferreira and Rachel Robertson triggered the first Safety Car of the race, with Robertson unable to continue.
The interruption removed Palmowski’s early advantage and gave both Gademan and Larsen another opportunity when racing resumed on Lap 4. Larsen quickly attacked her MP Motorsport teammate and moved into second place, although she went beyond the track limits during the manoeuvre. The incident was subsequently placed under investigation.
With clear air ahead, the Ferrari-backed driver began turning the race into a genuine battle for victory. Palmowski initially appeared to have the situation under control, but Larsen gradually reduced the gap and recorded consecutive fastest laps as the race moved towards its closing stages.
Late Safety Car changes Larsen’s Austin podium fight
While Alba Larsen continued to pursue the leader, Emma Felbermayr was mounting an impressive recovery from 11th on the grid as she attempted to keep her championship hopes alive. The Audi driver progressed through the points positions and eventually reached fifth, behind Lisa Billard in fourth.
With three laps remaining, Palmowski was still leading Larsen. The complexion of the race changed again on Lap 10 when contact between Ella Lloyd and Ava Dobson brought out a second Safety Car. Dobson retired, while the field was compressed ahead of a final-lap sprint to the chequered flag.
During the yellow-flag period, Larsen was instructed to hand second place back to Gademan following the earlier off-track overtake. Because overtaking was prohibited behind the Safety Car, the Ferrari driver returned the position once racing resumed.
Palmowski executed the restart cleanly, while Larsen immediately turned her attention to recovering second. She drew alongside Gademan as the two teammates fought intensely for the position, but Gademan defended successfully and remained ahead. Their battle also gave Palmowski enough breathing space to secure the victory.
Third consecutive podium for Ferrari’s Alba Larsen
Although victory ultimately remained out of reach, Alba Larsen’s third place represented another significant result in her 2026 F1 Academy campaign. It was her third consecutive podium, while Gademan’s second place gave MP Motorsport a third successive double-podium finish.
Palmowski’s victory was her fifth of the season and increased her championship advantage over Felbermayr to 63 points. Gademan, meanwhile, collected her fourth podium from the last five races.
Behind the leading trio, Billard secured a career-best fourth place, with Felbermayr completing her recovery drive in fifth. Natalia Granada finished sixth, followed by Westcott in seventh and Esmee Kosterman in eighth.
Ella Stevens took ninth place to record the second points finish of her F1 Academy career, while Jade Jacquet completed the top 10 and scored her first point in the championship.
What comes next for Alba Larsen in Austin?
F1 Academy action at the Circuit of the Americas continues on Saturday with the Reverse Grid Race. Larsen will have another opportunity to build on her latest Ferrari podium, while Palmowski enters the contest with her first chance to secure the 2026 Drivers’ Championship with a race to spare.
The Reverse Grid Race is scheduled to begin at 18:00 local time, UTC−5.
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