Palmowski's F1 dreams come true

Glossop motorsport sensation Alisha Palmowski has made her Formula One dream a reality after securing a seat on the 2025 F1 Academy grid. 

The 18-year-old will represent F1 powerhouses Red Bull Racing after joining the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme. 

The 2025 F1 Academy season will see the Simmondley resident take part in seven race weekends across the year, starting with a trip to Shanghai in March. 

The campaign will also see Palmowski travel to Jeddah, Miami, Montreal, Zandvoort, and Singapore, before November’s season showdown in Las Vegas. 

“This is such a huge opportunity,” the former St Phillip Howard student told the Chronicle. 

“I’m going to be one of only 10 girls around the world with the opportunity to work with an F1 team in F1 Academy which is just unbelievable- I'm just a normal girl from Glossop, these things don’t usually happen! 

“I’m so grateful to Christian Horner and everyone at Red Bull for giving me this chance and I hope I can make them proud next year. 

“It’s going to be a huge step up, but I’m never happy in a car unless I’m at the front, and I’m going to do everything I can to fight for the championship. 

“But at the same time, if I leave 2025 as a better driver then that will be a success.” 

This announcement comes after the teenage star was selected as the wildcard entry for round 6 of the 2024 F1 Academy season in Qatar back in November. 

Palmowski made a superb impression throughout the weekend, racing to a fifth-place finish in her debut race before securing fourth place in qualifying for race two, which was unfortunately cancelled due to extended barrier repairs. 

“Qatar was such a great learning experience,” the 2024 GB4 Championship runner-up told the Chronicle. 

“It was the perfect opportunity to pinpoint my strengths and weaknesses and improve on them for when it really matters next year when I’m fighting for the championship.” 

As mentioned, Palmowski will kick off her 2025 F1 Academy season in Shanghai on March 21.