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.
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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.
