British drivers once again impressed in the 2025 F1 Academy, the all-female single-seater series featured exclusively on the support bill at seven selected Formula 1 Grands Prix.

The 2025 championship concluded last weekend on the iconic streets of Las Vegas, where two promising young British stars secured top-five finishes in the final standings.

After taking a win in Jeddah and adding four further podiums, McLaren Racing’s Ella Lloyd capped her rookie campaign with fourth overall. Red Bull Racing’s Alisha Palmowski followed up with an excellent second place in the final race, securing fifth in the championship. Both are Team UK members of Motorsport UK’s Academy.

While neither could quite replicate the heroics of 2024 champion Abbi Pulling, their strong performances made Britain the only nation to field two drivers inside the season’s top five.

Lloyd, who also competed in the Wera Tools British F4 Championship when schedules allowed, has already confirmed her place on the 2026 F1 Academy grid. The 20-year-old Welsh driver will return with Rodin Motorsport under the McLaren Formula 1 Team’s F1 Academy programme.

“I’m super excited to be continuing my journey in papaya with Rodin Motorsport and building on what we have achieved this season together,” she said.

Palmowski, 19, will also return in 2026, remaining under the Red Bull Racing banner.

“The support I’ve received from Red Bull this season has been incredible, and the amount I have learnt, progressed and developed both as a driver and as a person has been by far the most in my career. I’m so grateful to everyone at Red Bull for putting their belief in me for another season – I’m excited to go again in 2026, put everything we’ve learnt together, and have a great year.”

With newly crowned champion Doraine Pin moving up the motorsport ladder, both Lloyd and Palmowski will be among the favourites for next year’s F1 Academy title. Official confirmation of the 2026 calendar is expected shortly.