Qatar F1 Academy wildcard Alisha Palmowski said her debut season in single-seaters has always been geared towards securing a full-time drive in the all-female series in 2025.
Palmowski, 18, is the latest wildcard to participate in F1 Academy in 2024, and does so after a stellar campaign in the British GB4 series.
In her first season of single-seater competition, Palmowski secured GB4 Vice-Champion honours having claimed three wins, two pole positions and 11 podiums.
Speaking to select media including Motorsport Week ahead of her F1 Academy debut in 2024, Palmowski revealed her goal at the start of the year was to ensure she’s on the grid full-time in 2025.
“It’s been a great season and to be honest, going into GB4 this year my first year in single-seaters the aim was always F1 Academy for next season to try and secure a seat,” the British driver said.
“This weekend gives me such a great opportunity to try and showcase what I can do on a global stage.
“Obviously it’s a much bigger paddock, a lot more eyes, a lot more focus on the series so it’s a perfect chance for me to really showcase what I can do and try and get myself an opportunity on the grid next year but equally with that being said there’s also a lot of pressure that comes with that to try and perform.
“So I’ve really just got to keep my head down, focus and sort of treat it like a normal race weekend to be honest.
“That’s my mentality going into it and when we’re in the car it doesn’t matter whether I’m in a GB4 race or an F1 Academy race I’m just trying to drive the car as best and as quickly as possible so yeah that’s the plan really.”
Alisha Palmowski ‘aware of privileged F1 Academy opportunity’
F1 Academy is unique in that it gives young female racers a global platform alongside Formula 1 itself to showcase their abilities.
An international calendar, with international broadcast coverage, is a unique opportunity for the 15 full-time drivers on the grid.
That’s no different for the wildcard drivers from weekend to weekend and that isn’t lost on Palmowski.
“I’ve never done a media day like this on a Thursday prior to the weekend so just the whole experience is incredible,” she said.
“I think since I was sort of five, six years old I’ve just been the biggest Formula One fan, I absolutely just love Formula One.
“Before I’m a racing driver myself I’m just a huge fan as it is really and with this great opportunity.
“So I’m aware how privileged I am and I know how many young drivers would kill for this opportunity that I’ve got this weekend so I’m really just trying to stay calm embrace it all, learn as I said before as well and leave the weekend a stronger driver than I entered it.”
READ MORE – Alisha Palmowski announced as F1 Academy Qatar Wild Card driver
