The experts share their predictions for the 2026 F1 Academy season

With just days to go before the first departure of the year to China, attention is already turning to the battle for the title. Several names are being mentioned repeatedly, notably that of Alisha Palmowski, often cited as one of the main contenders for the crown after a promising first season. Dorian PinThe reigning champion announces: “In my opinion, Alisha Palmowski is the driver with the best chance of winning the title this year, in only her second season. She has already demonstrated that she possesses exceptional raw speed, and with more experience and better preparation for the season, she could truly stand out in 2026.”

The British woman, who races in the colors of Red Bull, also appears in the screenings of Abbi Pulling, who has known her since her early days in car and sees her as capable of taking a step forward this season. "I think [Alisha] Palmowski could win [the title]." While Alisha Palmowski is among the favorites, the competition could be much more open. For Alice Powell, development driver for Envision Racing... Formula E and mentor for development pilots AlpineThe hierarchy of the season remains difficult to anticipate, with several drivers capable of playing leading roles, notably Ella Lloyd, Emma Felbermayr or Alba Larsen. "I think it's going to be extremely unpredictable."

Despite this uncertainty, Alice Powell believes the final decision could come down to Alisha Palmowski and Ella Lloyd, both of whom were particularly consistent last season, with the Welshwoman establishing herself as the best rookie in fourth place in the championship. "Ultimately, at the end of the season, the victory will come down to Alisha and Ella."

Who will win the Constructors' Championship?

Beyond the drivers' championship, the battle for the teams' title could also hold some surprises. Prema has dominated the series since its inception, but some voices in the paddock believe this series could end in 2026. For Doriane Pin, there's no doubt: “Prema has won the title for the past three years. Even though the team has announced two rookie drivers for this season, it has the expertise to help young talents develop quickly and build the foundations they need to perform at the highest level.”

For Abbi Pulling, the main threat could come from Rodin Motorsport, which fields several experienced drivers. The champion of F1 Academy 2024 remains loyal to the team with which it will race again this year in GB3: "Rodin Motorsport will win the team title. The team has two second-year drivers and an excellent newcomer, Ella Stevens. So I think Rodin has every chance of winning, but the fight will be close until the end."

Alice Powell agrees. “I think the title will go to Rodin this year. They’ve been so close, especially in 2024. They were really close, but I think they’ll clinch the title this year, simply because they have a very strong team. This season they have two second-year drivers, Felbermayr and Lloyd, who I expect will be fighting for the title, as well as a great rookie, Stevens, who will be driving a single-seater for the first time.”

The experts have spoken 🫳🎤

Dive into their full predictions on our website now. 🔗 https://t.co/U2MSkzDnM9 #F1ACADEMY pic.twitter.com/U0JEDqxKWh

— F1 Academy (@f1academy) March 7, 2026

A Frenchwoman among the best?

Among the many unknowns of this new F1 Academy season, the rookies could play a significant role. Several young drivers arrive with interesting potential, but one in particular is attracting attention: Lisa Billard. The Frenchwoman, still relatively inexperienced in motorsport, is already among the names mentioned as a possible revelation of the year. Doriane Pin sees her as one of the drivers capable of surprising everyone in her first full season in the category. “Lisa Billard could well be the big surprise of the season. She has the mentality and the speed to progress quickly, despite her limited experience in motor racing. She has always shown maturity in her approach, and I am convinced that she can have an excellent season, even as a rookie.”

This impression is also shared in the paddock, where her adaptability has already made a strong impression during her first appearances. While the pecking order remains difficult to predict before the start of the season, some believe the Frenchwoman could quickly establish herself among the most competitive newcomers. Abbi Pulling, in particular, highlights Billard's speed in demanding conditions, an element that has especially impressed her. "It's quite difficult to predict who the best rookie will be. To be honest, it will be the one who establishes herself the most. I think it could be Lisa Billard, because she was very fast in Singapore and it's a difficult circuit to start on, so that impressed me."

While other rookies could also be spoilers, such as Megan Bruce according to Alice Powell or Payton Westcott according to Doriane Pin, Lisa Billard regularly appears among the most intriguing profiles of this new generation. In a championship that promises to be particularly competitive this season, the progress of the rookies could therefore be a significant factor in the balance of the field. While the title favorites seem to have already been identified, the emergence of new drivers like Lisa Billard could well be one of the major storylines of the 2026 season. To find out if the experts are right, tune in from March 13th to 15th for the Shanghai round, where the F1 Academy will be running alongside Formula 1.

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