Chiara Bättig tops first-ever F1 Academy Silverstone practice as Wild Card makes instant impact

The first-ever F1 Academy session at Silverstone produced a striking result as Wild Card entrant Chiara Bättig topped the timesheets in free practice, announcing herself in spectacular fashion ahead of her series debut.

Photo credits: F1 Academy Ltd

The first-ever F1 Academy session at Silverstone produced a striking result as Wild Card entrant Chiara Bättig topped the timesheets in free practice, announcing herself in spectacular fashion ahead of her series debut. The Swiss Red Bull Junior, contesting the event with Hitech under Wella sponsorship, finished ahead of championship leader Alisha Palmowski in an exciting start to the British round.

The third round of the 2026 F1 Academy season marked the championship's inaugural visit to the home of British motorsport, with Silverstone joining the calendar for the first time. While the circuit was new to the series, it was far from unfamiliar to many of the drivers, who had completed an in-season collective test at the venue earlier in the year. Several members of the grid had also gained valuable race experience at Silverstone during the British F4 Championship, including the weekend's highly anticipated Wild Card entrant, Chiara Bättig.

The 16-year-old Swiss racer arrived at Silverstone carrying significant momentum. Already a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, Bättig has enjoyed an outstanding rookie campaign in single-seaters, scoring podium finishes in both the Formula Winter Series and British F4. Remaining with Hitech for her F1 Academy debut, she competed in a distinctive red Wella-backed livery as she became the latest Wild Card driver to join the grid.

Championship leader Alisha Palmowski also returned to familiar territory, the British driver looking to strengthen her advantage after claiming the points lead from Rodin Motorsport rival Emma Felbermayr during the previous round in Montreal. With several British drivers competing on home soil, expectations were high heading into the weekend.

Drivers had a single 40-minute free practice session to prepare before qualifying later in the day.

The session began with immediate drama for Esmee Kosterman, whose MP Motorsport LEGO Racing machine came to a halt on circuit shortly after the green flag. Fortunately, the Dutch driver was able to restart the car and continue without bringing out any interruptions.

Ella Lloyd was the first driver to register a representative lap before Felbermayr quickly assumed control of the timesheets. The Austrian lowered the benchmark as track conditions improved, first posting a 2:04.1 before reducing it further to a 2:03.3 as grip increased with every passing lap.

Lisa Billard then suffered a high-speed spin at Turn 1. Although the French driver avoided contact and was able to continue, the excursion left her with a damaged set of tyres.

Around fifteen minutes into practice, Ella Lloyd, Ella Stevens and Megan Bruce slotted in behind Felbermayr. Bruce became the next driver to dip into the 2:03s, moving into the top three, while Alba Larsen also climbed into the top five.

Nina Gademan, another driver with valuable British F4 experience at Silverstone, then produced an excellent lap; benefiting from a purple final sector, the Dutch racer vaulted into second place, showcasing again the pace she had already demonstrated during earlier testing at the circuit.

As Palmowski headed onto the circuit for the first time, Bättig immediately announced herself by producing a 2:02.7, becoming the first driver to break the 2:03 barrier and taking over the top of the timing screens.

The Swiss rookie continued to improve on her very next lap, recording purple times through sectors two and three before lowering the benchmark again to a 2:02.640. The improvement extended her advantage to almost half a second over Gademan.

Palmowski gradually found her rhythm: the championship leader first recorded a 2:03.062 before dipping below the 2:03 barrier herself with a 2:02.989, reducing the deficit to just over three tenths while moving into second position.

Felbermayr also responded with an improved effort, posting a 2:03.0 to move ahead of Gademan into third place. However, the Dutch driver immediately fought back, clocking another competitive lap of 2:02.881 to reclaim third position. At that stage, the top four drivers were separated by just two tenths of a second.

Ava Dobson also enjoyed a productive morning aboard the AMEX-backed Hitech machine, climbing into the top five.

Rafaela Ferreira experienced a minor moment in the closing stages, spinning briefly on the final lap in her newly liveried purple VCARB Campos Racing car. Like Billard earlier in the session, Ferreira avoided any damage and safely rejoined.

At the chequered flag, it was Bättig who remained at the top of the order with a 2:02.640, becoming the first Wild Card driver to lead an F1 Academy session and immediately demonstrating the potential that has made her one of the most exciting young prospects in international single-seater racing.

Palmowski finished second, just under four tenths adrift, with Gademan and Felbermayr completing an extremely competitive top four.

Ella Stevens completed an encouraging home practice session in fifth despite preparing to race at Silverstone for the first time in her career.

Dobson secured sixth place, followed by Rachel Robertson in seventh. Mercedes-supported Payton Westcott ended the session eighth, having ran wide over the kerbs on several occasions during her longer runs.

Billard recovered from her early spin to finish ninth, while Lloyd rounded out the top ten.

Bruce ended the session eleventh ahead of Kosterman, who recovered well from her early mechanical issue to complete valuable running in twelfth.

Ferrari Driver Academy representative Alba Larsen finished 13th, unable to quite match the pace of the leading group, while Montreal race winner Mathilda Paatz ended practice in P14.

Natalia Granada placed 15th ahead of Kaylee Countryman in 16th, with Ferreira classified 17th. Jade Jacquet completed the order.

With practice complete, the drivers now turn their attention to qualifying, where they will face significantly different conditions as the session takes place later in the evening at 6:00 pm local time.