Pit Debrief

Motorsport news

Pit Debrief

Motorsport news

Karishma Persad

With Palmowski crowned 2026 F1 Academy champion, Felbermayr, Gademan, Larsen and Westcott battle for P2 and P3 in Austin and Vegas.
Photo Credit: F1 Academy

Battle for P2 intensifies as Palmowski secures 2026 F1 Academy Drivers’ Championship in Austin

Karishma Persad09 mins

With three races remaining in the 2026 F1 Academy season, the fight for the remaining podium positions in the Drivers’ Championship is becoming increasingly competitive. Following Saturday’s Reverse Grid Race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), ten points separate Emma Felbermayr and Nina Gademan in second and third, while Alba Larsen has significantly reduced…

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Alba Larsen reflects on her maiden 2026 F1 Academy win in Austin, the emotion of hearing Denmark's anthem and her podium ambitions.
Photo Credit: F1 Academy

Larsen targets further success after emotional maiden 2026 F1 Academy win in Austin

Karishma Persad09 mins

Alba Larsen celebrated an emotional maiden F1 Academy victory during Saturday’s Reverse Grid Race at the 2026 United States GP, admitting that hearing the Danish national anthem from the top step of the podium left her struggling to find the words to describe the occasion. The Ferrari-backed MP Motorsport driver converted fourth on the grid…

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Palmowski seals the 2026 F1 Academy title in Austin as Larsen wins the Reverse Grid Race and Felbermayr leads a battle for second.
Photo Credit: F1 Academy

2026 F1 Academy standings after the Reverse Grid Race at the United States GP

Karishma Persad010 mins

Alisha Palmowski secured the 2026 F1 Academy Drivers’ Championship following a remarkable recovery from eighth to second during Saturday’s Reverse Grid Race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The Red Bull Racing-backed driver extended her championship advantage over Emma Felbermayr, putting the title mathematically beyond her remaining challengers with three races still to contest….

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Norris rues a missed P2 in 2026 F1 United States GP Qualifying as McLaren's handling troubles, high winds and track limits leave him eighth.
Photo Credit: McLaren F1 Team

Norris rues missed opportunity as difficult McLaren hampers 2026 F1 United States GP Qualifying

Karishma Persad09 mins

Lando Norris admitted that he failed to maximise McLaren’s potential during Qualifying for the 2026 F1 United States GP, despite believing that the car had sufficient pace to secure a front-row starting position. The British driver qualified eighth at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), having struggled with unpredictable handling, changing wind conditions and a…

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George Russell reflects on a costly Q3 slide, shifting track temperatures and bumps after qualifying sixth at the 2026 F1 United States GP.
Photo Credit: Mercedes F1 Team

Russell rues costly Q3 mistakes after frustrating 2026 F1 United States GP Qualifying

Karishma Persad08 mins

George Russell admitted that two disappointing Q3 laps cost him a stronger starting position for the 2026 F1 United States GP, leaving the Mercedes driver sixth on the grid despite demonstrating competitive pace throughout Saturday’s Qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Russell recorded a 1:34.476, finishing 0.441 seconds behind teammate Kimi Antonelli,…

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Leclerc discusses Ferrari's tyre struggles after P4 in 2026 F1 Qualifying at Austin, and the team's hopes for Sunday's GP.
Photo Credit: Charles Leclerc

Leclerc explains Ferrari’s unexpected Q3 setback at 2026 F1 United States GP

Karishma Persad010 mins

Charles Leclerc expressed frustration after qualifying fourth for the 2026 F1 United States GP, explaining how Ferrari’s difficulties with tyre temperatures prevented him from challenging for pole position at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Despite demonstrating competitive pace throughout Free Practice and topping Q2, the Monegasque struggled to extract the same performance during the…

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Antonelli reflects on Mercedes' progress, gusty qualifying conditions and his first shot to take the F1 title at the 2026 United States GP.
Photo Credit: Mercedes F1 Team

Antonelli hails Mercedes upgrade progress after surprise pole at the United States GP as 2026 F1 title beckons

Karishma Persad010 mins

Kimi Antonelli secured his seventh pole position of the 2026 F1 season at the United States GP, beating Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar during Saturday’s Qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The Mercedes driver delivered a 1:34.035 on his opening Q3 attempt, securing pole by 0.179 seconds ahead of Verstappen, while Hadjar…

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Max Verstappen reflects on Red Bull's Q3 grip struggles after qualifying P2 in Austin and praises Kimi Antonelli's 2026 F1 title campaign.
Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen optimistic about 2026 F1 United States GP race pace despite disappointing Q3 performance

Karishma Persad09 mins

Max Verstappen expressed frustration with Red Bull’s performance during the final segment of Qualifying for the 2026 F1 United States GP, despite securing second place on the grid behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. The Dutchman had demonstrated competitive pace throughout Q1 and Q2 but struggled with an unexpected lack of rear grip during Q3, preventing him…

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Rafaela Ferreira targets her first F1 Academy podium from Austin pole, reflecting on Montreal heartbreak and lessons for Saturday.
Photo Credit: F1 Academy

Ferreira targets maiden victory from Austin Reverse Grid Race pole after Montreal heartbreak

Karishma Persad08 mins

Rafaela Ferreira enters Saturday’s 2026 F1 Academy Reverse Grid Race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) determined to secure her maiden victory after qualifying eighth and earning pole position for the second race of the United States GP weekend. The Racing Bulls-backed Campos Racing driver hopes to convert her promising qualifying performance into a…

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