The storylines to watch out for as F1 ACADEMY makes its Silverstone debut

History awaits as F1 ACADEMY is set for a landmark weekend, with the all-female series racing at Silverstone for the first time.

The field heads to one of motorsport’s most legendary venues ahead of the British Grand Prix for rounds six and seven of the 2026 season. Some of the grid will be bidding for a breakthrough weekend, while others look to head into the summer break with momentum behind them. Here are the key storylines ahead of the latest round…

A new frontier

F1 ACADEMY visits its 16th different circuit this weekend, with the series joining Formula 2 and Formula 3 on the Formula 1 support card. Featuring high-speed corners and flowing sections, Silverstone is one venue that the field has been eagerly awaiting to visit.

Experience around the circuit varies despite in-season testing back in April. Of the 18 drivers, Wild Card driver Chiara Bättig, as well as Megan Bruce, Ava Dobson, Emma Felbermayr, Nina Gademan, Esmee Kosterman, Alba Larsen, Ella Lloyd, Alisha Palmowski and Rachel Robertson have all competed there en route to F1 ACADEMY.

That additional mileage translated into on-track pace, with McLaren driver Lloyd leading the in-season test followed closely by Palmowski. Unusually for a British summer, rain doesn’t seem to be on the cards, levelling the playing field for those who have not yet experienced a slippery Silverstone.

Palmowski in the driving seat

Palmowski was the star of the show in Montreal last time out, but the question remains whether the Red Bull Racing driver can sustain that level of performance for the rest of the campaign?

A solid start saw her net P5 and P2 finishes in Shanghai, putting her second in the standings. However, she really came into her element around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, claiming both pole positions and converting them into two impressive lights-to-flag wins.

In the process, she also set a new record for the largest winning margin in the first race before beating it in the final race of the weekend, going 10.955s clear in the damp conditions.

Only an unlucky incident with team mate Megan Bruce cost her a top-six finish in the Reverse Grid Race. Nevertheless, she holds a 25-point advantage over Felbermayr in the standings.

A welcome return to more familiar surroundings, Silverstone is a track that Palmowski relishes and she will be hoping to give the crowd a taste of homegrown success.

Can Hitech end their podium drought on home soil?

It’s been a frustrating start to the season for Hitech as the squad languishes at the bottom of the Teams’ Standings with a solitary point to their name, courtesy of Dobson’s P10 finish in the Shanghai Feature Race.

The pace has been there, but luck often hasn’t been on their side with both Dobson and Robertson retiring from the Montreal Reverse Grid Race following contact. Yet if there was anywhere the British squad would be hoping to turn their fortunes around, it’s on home soil — their factory is located metres away from the circuit.

A lot of attention will also be on their Wild Card as Bättig climbs into the #6 Wella Professionals car. Embarking on her first full year in single-seaters, the Red Bull Junior is one of the brightest young female talents climbing the ranks.

The 16-year-old has already claimed a podium at Silverstone in British F4, but with the previous 14 Wild Cards yet to secure silverware, can Bättig deliver the goods for Hitech?

Rookies threatening the frontrunners

Although the top two drivers in the standings are in their sophomore campaigns, the rookie cohort are becoming an ever-increasing challenge to the front of the field.

Three of the top-five are first year drivers, with Bruce in third ahead of Payton Westcott and Mathilda Paatz. As it stands, it’s tough to see the trio overcoming the deficit to mount a title charge, as Bruce sits 41 points adrift of team mate and leader Palmowski.

However, their performances could heavily sway the Teams’ battle between Campos Racing and PREMA Racing and snatch crucial points away from Palmowski and Felbermayr. Of the 11 rookies, five have achieved podiums so far this year, but only Paatz has scored a win.

Lisa Billard looks to be the most promising rookie without silverware. The Gatorade driver has displayed flashes of pace but has yet to combine her Qualifying speed and a clean race to deliver on her potential, with a P5 in the Montreal Reverse Grid Race marking her best finish across the first five races.