Interview
Palmowski targeting podiums on her F1 ACADEMY debut in Lusail
Alisha Palmowski is F1 ACADEMY’s latest Wild Card, and the British racer is already attracting plenty of attention after finishing third in Friday’s second Free Practice session around Lusail.
Making her series debut behind the wheel of the #6 F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE-liveried car, the 18-year-old has certainly looked rapid during her time on track.
She finished seventh in FP1, before locking in third at the chequered flag during the second and final Practice session of the race weekend. Palmowski’s pace placed her behind Mercedes' Doriane Pin who topped the timesheets, and just 0.041s back from Standings’ Leader Abbi Pulling who was second.
“Overall, it was a very positive session,” Palmowski said after her debrief. “We made some changes ahead of FP2, and I just had so much more confidence especially after Formula 1 had been out and laid down a lot more rubber! There was a lot more grip available, more grip than I have ever experienced before in a Formula 4 car, so it was really cool.”
“I didn't come here to finish seventh,” Palmowski joked about her first Practice results. “I was not happy at all! I worked well with the team, and they listened to my feedback incredibly well so we have got a much better car underneath us now.
“I have got a lot more confidence, and equally know how I can improve as well ahead of tomorrow. Nobody can ever do the perfect lap, so there is always more time to find, but we are in a much better position. I am really happy. Tomorrow is going to be a game of who can put together a lap best, and with the margins being so small, there are a number of drivers capable of getting pole.”
As has been the case all season, the Wild Card entry for each Round is looked after by PREMA Racing, making Palmowski and Pin teammates for the race weekend.
“It’s great that we are teammates,” she noted. “We are able to share data, so we can pick up from each other because we have both got quite different car setups. I am quicker in different places compared to Doriane, so it is great that we can bounce off each other and find a happy medium, but overall very very positive ahead of tomorrow.”
Despite her newcomer status in the series, Palmowski is wanting a piece of the action as she eyes silverware for herself in the desert and becoming the most successful Wild Card driver so far.
“My target is to be as high up as possible, but the top three would be the ultimate goal," she remarked. "Equally, I am realistic and I know that is going to be a big challenge. It is also a circuit that you can overtake on, so of course I want to be high up in Qualifying, but I have got a lot of confidence from FP2, so I am positive we can have a good day tomorrow.
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“All of us (drivers) have done a lot of laps around Lusail, but obviously racing is a different ball game. It is a different craft, we don't know how well we are going to be able to follow, but then again that is a new experience for all of us around this circuit.
“I am sure we can try and be in the fight for a podium, that is the aim. Fingers crossed but full focus on Qualifying to start.”