Ginetta Junior front-runner Alisha Palmowski will embark on her first season in formula racing as she will tackle the GB4 Championship with Elite Motorsport
British teenager Alisha Palmowski will embark on her first season of single seater racing as she graduates from the Ginetta Junior Championship to the GB4 Championship, again under the banner of Elite Motorsport for the second consecutive year.
Palmowski, who won the Ginetta Junior Scholarship for the 2022 season, went on to finish fifth in the 2023 championship standings and, by claiming 10 podium finishes across the season, she became the top overall female finisher in the series’ G40-era, on her second season of car racing.
At just 17 years of age, Alisha’s future looks bright and the young driver assessed a move to formula cars towards the end of the year, before opting for the GB4 series.
“After having my first tests in a single-seater at the end of last year, it was clear this was the route I needed to go down and GB4 is the most cost effective way to make the transition", she commented.
“Additionally, GB4 is partnered by the BRDC which is also a great alignment for me after being selected to join the BRDC Rising Star Programme!"
Palmowski has in fact received the BWRDC Junior Gold Star Award, as well as Goodwin Trophy for finishing runner-up in the overall British Women Racing Drivers Club Championship. Prior to her car racing debut, Palmowski claimed the 2018 BirelART Series UK Junior Rookie Champion kart title.
“I’m extremely excited for the season ahead", she stated. "Racing single seaters has always been a dream of mine so to make it a reality is something I’m really looking forward to and I can’t wait for the challenge."
“My main objective for this year is to be a championship title contender, fighting for wins and podiums, as well as gaining overall experience and confidence racing single-seaters."
The goal seems realistic, as Palmowski topped a two day test at Oulton Park, and has overall recorded impressive lap times in all testing sessions including at Barcelona.
“Testing to date has been very successful and I’ve managed to get to grips with the GB4 car well. I believe my experience driving Ginetta Juniors has equipped me with skills and car control that can be transferred to driving a GB4 car.”
Ginetta Junior graduates have historically performed well in their move to single seaters and Palmowski aims to continue the trend with the expert help of Elite Motorsport, as she joins a two-car line up that also features fellow Ginetta Junior graduate Finn Harrison.
“Elite Motorsport helped me progress so much as a driver last season in Ginettas in every aspect of driving as well as creating a great environment to work in", Alisha continued. "They have been extremely successful in every championship they’ve entered and I’ve made great relationships with everyone within the team. So I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue my racing career with them."
“Everyone at Elite Motorsport is excited to have Alisha step up from Ginetta Juniors into GB4", echoed Eddie Ives, Team Owner and Manager at Elite Motorsport. "She’s shown very good pace and ability in pre-season testing to date. We have been impressed with how she has handled and got to grips with the GB4 car so quickly."
Alisha is the second female driver to announce her 2024 GB4 plans, following Fox Motorsport's Megan Bruce.
The season is scheduled to start at the end of March at Oulton Park followed by 6 race weekends, which will see the season finale at the end of September at Brands Hatch.
