Here is the thing about absolute control on a racetrack: when a driver has it, nobody else can touch them. Alisha Palmowski proved this once again in the F1 ACADEMY Feature Race in Zandvoort, converting her fourth pole position into her fourth win of the 2026 season. The Red Bull Racing driver did just enough at the start to fend off Alba Larsen, then spent the majority of the race defending against her in a relentless duel before ultimately staying ahead to take the victory and extend her lead at the top of the standings.
Behind the winner, Alba Larsen kept her podium streak alive by crossing the line in P2, a result that lifts her up to fourth place in the championship standings. Rounding out the top three was Nina Gademan, delivering a double podium for the second day in a row for both herself and MP Motorsport. It was a proper fight all the way down the order, showing just how unforgiving this championship can be.
Further down, Natalia Granada faced immense pressure from Emma Felbermayr for most of the distance. The Sephora driver held her ground to secure fourth, leaving the Audi driver to settle for fifth. Megan Bruce and Rachel Robertson brought their machines home in P6 and P7 respectively, while Ella Lloyd put on a stunning display of early race pace by charging from 11th on the grid to eighth during the opening laps.
Payton Westcott, who had taken victory in Saturday's Reverse Grid Race, had to fight hard in a close battle with Lloyd and ultimately settled for ninth place. Esmee Kosterman grabbed the final point on offer to cap off a double points-scoring weekend for the LEGO Racing driver.
With all said and done, Palmowski now commands a 48-point lead in the Drivers’ Standings over Felbermayr. The battle is far from over, and Felbermayr will have a chance to fight back when Round 5 heads to the Circuit of The Americas on October 22-25.
