Wild Card debutant Chiara Battig made F1 Academy history by securing pole position during the qualifying session at Silverstone on Friday, July 3, 2026.
The Red Bull Junior driver topped the timesheets with a lap of 2:01.775, becoming the youngest polesitter in the all-female series.
Standings leader Alisha Palmowski finished second, 0.177 seconds behind. Lisa Billard took third, followed by Ava Dobson and Rachel Robertson.
Robertson, an 18-year-old Motorsport Engineering graduate, entered her home grand prix seeking her first points after technical setbacks in Shanghai and Montreal.
“It is fair to say this will be Rachel’s biggest race weekend given it is a home grand prix,” said her father, Colin Robertson.
He noted that her college graduation ceremony was rescheduled due to an extreme heatwave during race preparations.
“It was felt that shoe horning around 120 people into a limited space with temperatures running so high represented a health risk,” he explained.
Alba Larsen Prepares for Silverstone Debut
Ferrari-backed Danish driver Alba Larsen, 17, also prepared for the historic Silverstone debut, marking the 100th anniversary of the British Grand Prix.
Larsen recalled her first meeting with F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff when she was 15.
“I went up to her and said, ‘I want to drive in your series.’ She said, ‘That’s good to hear – maybe in a few years,’” Larsen said.
She earned her spot after winning the rookie title in her F4 championship and now balances travel with simulator training at Ferrari’s factory in Maranello.
“When I’m in the car, I can’t see which colour it is… inside it’s all about driving,” she stated.
Larsen was inspired by Lewis Hamilton to establish the Girls International Racing Lab (G. I.
R. L.
) to boost female participation in karting.
“When you come onto a karting track and there are 50 drivers, only one, two or three will be girls,” she remarked.
She emphasized launching the initiative while her career is active rather than waiting for retirement.
“If I had started this project when I was done with my career, it would have been too late,” she added.
Larsen dismissed criticism about physical demands for women in open-wheel racing, citing technical skill as key.
“Most people who say it’s not possible do not know anything about racing,” she asserted.
She explained that drivers do not need to be bodybuilders to handle the machinery.
“In racing the machine is the muscle. We know men are physically stronger… but it’s not like F1 drivers are bodybuilders,” she said.
Larsen remains confident in her aggressive driving style and overtaking capabilities.
“That’s one of my strengths – that I’m good in the fights,” she concluded.
The F1 Academy continues with the Reverse Grid Race at 18:05 local time on Saturday.
