Young Red Bull star handed 2027 promotion after clinching championship

Newly-crowned F1 Academy champion Alisha Palmowski will race in a new series new year, getting a fully-funded seat in the Formula Regional European Championship in 2027.

Palmowski wrapped up her title last time out in Austin, with even a retirement in the feature race not enough to make the season's final round in Las Vegas a little nervy.

The 20-year-old drove last season for Campos Racing as a Red Bull Academy Programme driver, and it was announced this week that she will move up to FREC with Rodin Motorsport, also joining the Red Bull Junior Team.

The young Brit, from Glossop in Derbyshire, built this year on an impressive rookie season in 2025, in which she won the first race of the season and stood on the podium a further four times on her way to fifth in the standings.

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Palmowski set to follow in F1 champion's footsteps

Recent FREC champions include F1 stars Kimi Antonelli and Rafael Camara, with Gabriel Bortoleto, Franco Colapinto and Isack Hadjar all racing in the series early in their respective careers.

Palmowski's drive being fully funded is no small thing - with even a backmarker level operation in the series estimated to cost somewhere in the region of €350,000, with a seat at a team running at the top of the field costing closer to €1m.

Before all of that though, she still has a chance to put an exclamation mark on her championship season, with two races of the F1 Academy season still to run in Las Vegas next weekend.

Palmowski grateful for FREC opportunity

In a statement announcing her 2027 drive, Palmowski said: “I’m so excited to continue my journey with the support of Red Bull and F1 Academy behind me. Winning the F1 Academy title in Austin, with my family there and so many people cheering me on, was surreal, and it’s a weekend I’ll never forget.

“I’ve developed so much as a driver and as a person over the last two seasons, and the support I’ve received from Campos Racing, Red Bull and F1 Academy has been incredible. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get here, and I know there’s still a lot more to do but having that belief and support behind me makes the journey clearer.”

“Next season brings a new series, a new team and a fresh opportunity to test myself. Moving up the single-seater ladder has always been the goal, and I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to race in Formula Regional with Rodin Motorsport. I can’t wait to get going.”

Susie Wolff: Palmoswki a worthy champion

F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff added: “What a journey it’s been for Alisha. From joining us as a Wild Card Driver in 2024 to becoming F1 Academy champion just two years later, she has grabbed this opportunity with both hands.

"Not only has she proven herself a worthy champion, but she has also demonstrated to Red Bull Racing that she warrants their continued support and a place in their Junior Programme.

"Helping our champions take the next step in their development is a part of our mission at F1 Academy. We want to see them continue to progress and have the opportunities and support they need to climb further up the motorsport ladder.

"We are all proud of Alisha, not only for what she has achieved on track, but also for the character, determination and integrity she has shown off it. She is a fantastic role model for the next generation, and everyone at F1 Academy will be cheering her on from afar as she takes on this next challenge.”

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