Alisha Palmowski set the fastest qualifying time at Zandvoort on Saturday morning. The track was wet at the start and became drier during the session. Palmowski adjusted to the changing grip and earned the first starting place for Sunday’s F1 Academy Feature Race.
The shorter reverse-grid race took place later on Saturday. Palmowski started near the back because the first eight qualifying positions were reversed. Her car stalled at the start, and she joined the field behind the other drivers. Payton Westcott won that race.
Track conditions changed during Palmowski’s fastest lap
Water covered several parts of the circuit when qualifying began. The drivers used wet-weather tyres and tested the available traction on every lap. The banked corners made the task harder because the amount of water was different across the track. Lap times improved when the racing surface began to dry. An early time was not enough to remain near the front. Each driver needed to judge when to increase speed and when to leave space for another timed attempt.
Palmowski improved at the correct moment. She completed her fastest lap before the end of the session and finished ahead of the other title contenders. It was her fourth first-place qualifying result of the season.
Palmowski lost time at the start of Saturday’s race
The Saturday race used a reversed order for the first eight drivers from qualifying. Palmowski therefore did not start from the front. The format gave other drivers a chance to lead while she prepared to pass through the group. Her car stalled when the race began. She managed to start moving, but the field had already passed. That problem removed the chance to use her qualifying pace in the shorter race.
Westcott led after the start and stayed in front through two Safety Car restarts. Alba Larsen finished second, and Nina Gademan completed the first three places.
Palmowski’s main opportunity remained the Feature Race on Sunday.
| Session | Palmowski’s result |
|---|---|
| Qualifying | Fastest qualifying time; Palmowski will start the Feature Race first |
| Saturday race with the first eight starting positions reversed | The car stopped at the start, and Palmowski rejoined behind all other drivers |
| Sunday’s main F1 Academy race | Starts first |
Palmowski will start first on Sunday
Palmowski can approach the Feature Race from the front of the grid. She does not need to pass another car during the opening lap, but she must protect the inside line and avoid wheelspin when the lights go out. Zandvoort gives little space away from the fastest route. A driver who starts first can use open track and control tyre temperature. The same position also brings pressure because every rival reacts to the leader.
The team must check the starting system after Saturday’s stall. A clear technical review is more useful than a large change to a car that already showed strong speed in qualifying.
Drivers must protect the tyres during the longer race
The Feature Race is longer than Saturday’s contest. Palmowski needs enough grip for the opening laps and the final part of the race. Repeated sliding can damage the tyres before the decisive stage. A Safety Car is also possible on the narrow circuit. The leader must keep the permitted pace, prepare the tyres and accelerate once at the restart. Several changes of speed can create confusion behind.
Weather near the North Sea can change quickly. The engineers must give current information about wind and rain. Palmowski then has to match that information with the feedback she receives from the car.
Qualifying still gave Palmowski an important result
Saturday did not follow one simple direction. Palmowski was fastest in qualifying and then lost ground because of the stalled start in the reverse-grid race.
The two sessions must be judged separately. Her qualifying result confirmed strong speed after the summer break. It also placed her in the best position for the race that awards more points. The difficult afternoon did not remove that advantage.
Sunday now requires a normal start, accurate decisions and reliable equipment. Palmowski has already shown that the pace is available. The Feature Race will show whether she can turn that pace into a victory.
The problem at the start requires a separate technical review
A stalled car can have several causes, so the team must study the start data before reaching a conclusion. The review should compare the clutch settings, engine response and driver inputs with the practice starts completed earlier in the weekend. The important point is to separate the start problem from Palmowski’s qualifying speed. The two sessions tested different skills. She was fastest when every driver had an open qualifying lap, but the reverse-grid race was damaged before the first corner.
A clear technical answer will help the team prepare a simple start procedure for Sunday. Palmowski needs confidence that the car will respond in the same way when the lights go out.
Palmowski will start first on Sunday
The Feature Race uses the qualifying order, so Palmowski will start ahead of the field. She can control the first approach to the opening corner if she makes a clean start and protects the inside line. Starting first also allows her to avoid spray from other cars if the track is wet. That improves visibility, but changing grip can still make the braking point difficult to judge.
The main goal is to turn qualifying speed into a calm race. Palmowski does not need to win every corner. She needs a reliable start, stable tyre temperatures and accurate decisions when the conditions change.
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