P1racenews AI automatic summary:
In F1 Academy’s second trip to the infamous and unforgiving Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, it was Alisha Palmowski who rose to the occasion, taking another pole position in 2026.
In F1 Academy’s second visit to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Alisha Palmowski secured pole position in 2026. The drivers faced a long break since their last race, with a new third race added to the schedule after the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian round, making qualifying crucial for championship points. Many rookies navigated the track for the first time, giving an edge to experienced drivers like Palmowski, who set an early competitive time.
McLaren’s Ella Lloyd briefly led qualifying before Palmowski regained the top spot. While some drivers, like Canadian Wild Card Autumn Fisher, struggled to break into the top positions. The session saw intense competition, with key players like Alba Larsen and Rachel Robertson facing challenges.
Ultimately, Palmowski’s teammate, Rafaella Ferreira, and Megan Bruce secured top positions, setting up a competitive front row alongside Palmowski for Campos Racing. Ferreira held second place, maintaining a strong Campos presence at the front of the grid. The qualifying session showcased thrilling battles and surprising outcomes as drivers pushed their limits on the demanding Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
