F1 Academy winner Alisha Palmowski to race in Formula Regional in 2027

A promotion for the champion! F1 Academy winner Alisha Palmowski is moving up to the Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) following her title victory in the F1 Academy junior series. The 20-year-old driver from the Red Bull Junior Team will secure a fully funded seat with Team Rodin next year.

Alisha Palmowski was crowned F1 Academy champion ahead of schedule

Palmowski enjoyed a meteoric rise in the F1 Academy, the junior series for women founded and led by former racing driver Susie Wolff. In 2024, Palmowski made her debut as a wildcard driver in the penultimate round in Qatar. The British driver impressed and was accepted into the Red Bull Racing Academy Programme for 2025, racing for Campos. In 2025, she went on to win the opening race straight away. In her second season in 2026, she ultimately clinched the title in Austin – three races before the end of the season.

Alisha Palmowski says: “I’m absolutely thrilled to continue on my journey with the support of Red Bull and the F1 Academy. Winning the F1 Academy title in Austin, with my family there and so many people cheering me on, was simply surreal – a weekend I’ll never forget. I’ve developed enormously as a driver and as a person over the last two seasons, and the support I’ve received from Campos Racing, Red Bull and the F1 Academy has been incredible. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to this point, and I know there’s still a lot to do, but having that trust and support behind me makes the path ahead clearer.”

New challenge in Formula Regional

Palmowski: “Next season brings a new series, a new team and a new opportunity to put myself to the test. Moving up the single-seater career ladder has always been my goal, and I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to compete in Formula Regional with Rodin Motorsport. I can’t wait to get started.” Incidentally, she will also be competing alongside former Red Bull Racing driver David Coulthard at the Race of Champions in January.

F1 team principal Mekies praises her development

Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Red Bull Racing: “We are delighted to keep Alisha within the Red Bull family and to continue on this journey together. Over the past two seasons, she has developed exceptionally well both on and off the track. Despite the pressure of going into the season as the favourite, she has consistently performed at a very high level, which ultimately culminated in a dominant championship victory. We know how important the F1 Academy is in giving young female drivers the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their talent, and at Red Bull we have always taken this responsibility very seriously. As Alisha continues her development within the Red Bull Junior Team, we are very much looking forward to supporting her as she competes against other highly talented young men and women in the FRECA next year.”

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