The F1 ACADEMY qualifying session at the Montreal circuit produced a clear standout performance as Alisha Palmowski dominated from the first runs to the chequered flag. The Red Bull Racing driver repeatedly improved her pace, eventually posting a benchmark lap of 1m 38.466s, a margin that separated her from the rest of the field and secured top starting positions for the weekend. This session underlined both the importance of single-lap pace and strategic timing when track conditions evolve during a 30-minute shootout.
Across the grid a handful of rookies and established names battled for the remaining front-row slots, with Payton Westcott delivering a strong showing for Mercedes and Megan Bruce producing a competitive time in the TAG Heuer-run car. The qualifying order for the Feature Race and the approach to the Opening Race were shaped not only by best laps but also by drivers’ second-best efforts, which determined the reversed timings and the initial grid for the early-race start.
Session flow and decisive moments
Early in the period a number of drivers posted representative times as track grip evolved, with an initial benchmark set before Palmowski began lowering the top time in clear fashion. She reacted swiftly to rivals, moving from an early 1:39.395 to a series of faster attempts that culminated in the 1:38.466 effort. Alongside the time attack there were a few incidents that tested drivers’ focus: one competitor made contact with the wall at Turn 9, and others brushed the barriers while trying to extract the last tenths. These moments disrupted runs and emphasized how small mistakes can cost big positions in a short qualifying session.
Consistency became a critical factor as teams logged multiple attempts to secure both their fastest and backup laps. Palmowski’s string of improvements forced rivals into a reactive mode, chasing split times rather than executing their own programmes. The session also highlighted the importance of a second-quickest lap as teams looked to lock in favourable grids for the Opening Race: Campos Racing, in particular, benefited from balanced pace across its drivers to create a strong starting advantage for the early race.
Final classification and notable qualifiers
When the timings were finalised, Palmowski stood alone at the top, with a cushion of roughly 0.390s to the runner-up. Payton Westcott claimed P2 for the main grid while Megan Bruce completed the top three in what proved to be a tight fight among the leaders. Emma Felbermayr and Mathilda Paatz locked in P4 and P5 respectively for the Feature Race, with Alba Larsen occupying P6. Rounding out the top ten were Rafaela Ferreira, Kaylee Countryman, Nina Gademan and Lisa Billard, each delivering lap times that kept them well positioned for the weekend’s battles.
There was an extra twist for the Reverse Grid format: Kaylee Countryman’s performance earned her the pole for the Saturday afternoon Reverse Grid Race, offering a valuable opportunity to start at the front under inverted-grid rules. Additionally, Campos Racing enjoyed a front-row lockout on the Opening Race grid thanks to the combination of Palmowski and Bruce’s second-best laps, illustrating how a team-wide approach to qualifying lap management can translate into multiple strong starts across different sessions.
What to watch next
Race strategy and likely developments
With the pole-sitter having demonstrated repeatable pace, race engineers will now be focused on translating that one-lap speed into race rhythm and tyre management over the Feature Race distance. Expect teams to prioritise start tactics and early stint pace, as track position at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve frequently dictates race complexion. The Feature Race grid advantage gives Palmowski a clear shot at controlling the early phases; meanwhile, midfield runners who qualified closely behind will look for undercut opportunities and late-race pressure to challenge for podium positions.
Driver form and momentum
Beyond the raw lap times, the session offered clues about driver confidence and rhythm. Several rookies produced notable results on their debuts, suggesting rapid adaptation to the car and circuit. Conversely, drivers who encountered minor incidents will be aiming to reset and extract cleaner runs in practice and during warmup. The weekend ahead will reveal whether qualifying supremacy converts into race victories or if strategic calls and on-track battles shuffle the order during the two races scheduled for the event.
