Five Drivers to Watch as the F1 Academy Season Begins in China

The new season of F1 Academy gets underway this weekend alongside the Chinese Grand Prix at the famous Shanghai International Circuit. The championship continues to grow in profile as it shares the global stage with Formula One, bringing some of the most promising young female drivers in motorsport to circuits around the world.

Designed to help develop and showcase female talent in racing and beyond, the series has quickly become an important step on the single seater ladder. The opening round in China will give fans the first real indication of how the season might unfold in 2026.

From established contenders to exciting newcomers, here are five drivers we think are worth keeping an eye on as the championship begins.

The People’s Favourite: Alisha Palmowski

Among the drivers attracting the most attention heading into the season is British racer Alisha Palmowski. Racing in the colours of Red Bull Racing on the F1 Academy grid, Palmowski has already built a strong following among fans of the series and last year’s champ Doriane Pin is betting on her to take the title in 2026.

Her rise through junior single seater racing has been impressive. She developed a reputation for confident overtakes and strong racecraft, and watching Alisha race is quite simply fun.

There is also something very relatable about her presence in the paddock. She carries herself with quiet confidence while clearly enjoying the racing itself, which has helped her become something of a fan favourite.

The Shanghai circuit presents an interesting early test. Its long corners and heavy braking zones reward drivers who can adapt quickly, and a strong result here could give Palmowski a strong start for a season that some say is hers for the taking. 

The Established Contender: Ella Lloyd

Ella Lloyd arrives this season as one of the drivers many expect to challenge near the front of the field. Representing McLaren, the Welsh driver already has experience in the championship along with several impressive results. A race win and multiple podiums have shown that she has the pace required to compete consistently at the sharp end of the grid.

Experience can make a significant difference in a series like this. Drivers in their second year of F1 Academy, who already understand the format of the race weekends often settle into the rhythm of competition more quickly. 

If Ella can begin the season strongly in Shanghai, she could quickly establish herself as one of the drivers to beat.

A Rookie to Watch: Ella Stevens

Every championship benefits from the excitement of new talent arriving on the grid, and 2025 British Karting Vice Champ Ella Stevens is one of the many interesting rookies this year that you need to keep an eye on. 

Like Lloyd, Stevens will also be racing with McLaren backing. She arrives in the championship after an impressive karting career that marked her out as one of the rising talents in British motorsport.

The step from karting to single seaters can be challenging, but if a driver adapts quickly when given the opportunity, they can cement their place impressively. There is plenty of opportunity there for Ella to take. 

The opening races of the season will give a clearer picture of how quickly she can settle into the championship. If she finds confidence early, Ella could turn an already promising karting start to her career to a serious campaign for the major racing seats.

The Home Crowd Story: Shi Wei

The opening round in Shanghai also brings a special moment for Chinese fans thanks to local driver Shi Wei.

Competing as a wild card entry for the second year, Shi Wei will have the opportunity to race in front of a home crowd at the Shanghai International Circuit. For any driver, racing at home carries a unique atmosphere, and the support from the grandstands can make the experience even more memorable.

Her participation reflects the growing reach of the championship. Having drivers from different regions of the world helps bring new audiences to the sport and inspires young racers watching from the stands.

For Shi Wei, the focus will simply be on making the most of the opportunity and enjoying the experience of competing on an international stage.

The Future Prospect: Alba Hurup Larsen

At just sixteen years old, Alba Hurup Larsen is one of the youngest drivers involved in the championship, but she already has experience. The Danish racer is supported by the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2026, and can tap into an infrastructure of development that few drivers ever have.

That backing speaks volumes about how highly she is regarded within the sport. Larsen has already shown encouraging pace in junior categories and continues to gain experience as she progresses through the single-seater ranks.

With the right choices, Larsen could turn out to be one of the standout talents in the championship this year.

A Season Ready to Begin

As the cars prepare to take to the track in Shanghai, anticipation around the new F1 Academy season continues to grow. The championship brings together a wide mix of experience, youth and ambition, creating a grid full of potential storylines.

Drivers like Alisha, Ella (and Ella!) and Alba represent different stages of that journey, from rising stars gaining attention to established competitors pushing for success.

The season will unfold over the months ahead, yet every championship has to start somewhere. This year, that starting point is Shanghai, where the next chapter of F1 Academy is about to begin. If you’re anything like us, you can hardly wait.