Alisha to be F1 Academy wild card in Qatar

Hotly tipped Glossop racer Alisha Palmowski has been invited to join the F1 Academy as a guest entrant for next weekend’s race in Qatar.

Held at the Lusail International Circuit on the same weekend as the main F1 event, the race will be Alisha’s first time competing outside the UK. 

It follows on from the 18-year-old's successful debut season in single seat racing, where her pace and consistency saw her notch 11 podium finishes on her way to the runner-up spot in the GB4 Championship. 

The F1 Academy is a series that aims to provide a pathway into Formula One and other higher-level competitions for female drivers. It is open to junior racers between the ages of 16-25, with them only allowed to compete in it for two seasons. 

“I’m very excited to be the Wild Card Entry in Qatar,” said Palmowski. “It’s an incredible opportunity and one I never could have dreamt of 12 months ago.  

“This will be my first race outside of the UK, and for it be on the F1 Academy grid as a support series to Formula 1 is a dream come true.  

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the team at F1 Academy, and of course Susie Wolff [the Managing Director of the series], for giving me this opportunity to learn and hopefully secure a seat on the grid for next year.” 

Fellow Brit, 21-year-old Abbi Pulling, is the current F1 Academy series leader after finishing fifth in her debut season last year. If she can hold on to her lead in the final two rounds in Qatar and the UAE, she will secure a place in the 2025 GB3 Championship.