The position before Austin
Alisha Palmowski reaches the penultimate F1 Academy round with 136 points, ahead of Emma Felbermayr on 88. A 48 point advantage represents a strong position before Austin, scheduled for 22–25 October. According to the championship’s official analysis, the title can be settled there, but has not yet been won. At the 17 October verification point, the American races remain future events and the Las Vegas finale still forms part of the calendar for the current season.
Two routes to points
The official comparison reveals an interesting contrast: Palmowski has led all five qualifying comparisons between the pair, while Felbermayr has finished ahead in five of their nine races. Those records are not contradictory. Qualifying and racing pose different problems, while the reversed grid format changes starting positions. An assessment needs to consider the opportunity each driver possessed and how effectively she converted it into available points. A simple count of who finished ahead cannot capture the entire championship picture.
Why the fast lap matters
Single lap speed can simplify a Feature Race by reducing early traffic and providing greater control over pace. At the same time, a strong qualifying position produces a more difficult starting position in the reversed grid event. That compromise explains why the overall head to head record cannot replace analysis of the format. A weekend needs to be viewed as a collection of opportunities, rather than two independent results that can be compared without considering how each starting grid was constructed.
What Austin can change
Circuit of the Americas returns to the series programme for the first time since 2023. The current contenders must transfer previously demonstrated form to a venue with different braking and rhythm references. For the leader, the challenge is maintaining precision without allowing her advantage to encourage passivity. For a pursuer, recovery requires strong results; relying exclusively on a rival making a mistake is not an execution plan she can control. The useful comparison is therefore between decisions, as well as between outright pace.
Reading the scenarios
F1 Academy identifies 104 points still available in the drivers’ competition. Clinching scenarios need updating after every relevant session and confirmation against the applicable official rules. The present advantage favours Palmowski without eliminating her opponents’ alternatives. The most useful question in Austin will be who maximises the complete weekend, including less spectacular sessions where points gained or lost can quickly change the pressure surrounding the following race. A prospective title remains a possibility until the required sporting conditions have actually been met.
