F1 Academy Arrives in Silverstone for Round 3 - All You Need to Know
Whether it's your first time or simply need a refresher, here's your breakdown on what you need to know about the Silverstone Circuit ahead of Round 3 of F1 Academy.
Previously used as an airfield during World War II, the Silverstone Circuit was used for the very first Formula 1 Grand Prix, hosting the inaugural World Championship round on May 13th 1950. Giuseppe Farina won the race in his Alfa Romeo 158, with Luigi Fagioli in second place and British driver Reg Parnell in third.
Fifty-Nine British Grand Prix have been held at the Silverstone Circuit in total, with it becoming the main venue for the event every year since 1987. Prior to that, the British Grand Prix was also held at Brands Hatch and at Aintree. Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most victories at this circuit (nine) while Ferrari holds the most wins for a Constructor (eighteen). The venue has seen countless memorable moments throughout the years too. Examples include Hamilton and Verstappen’s opening lap melee in 2021, Nigel Mansell’s dominant drive in 1992 and Nico Hulkenberg’s debut podium in 2025.
F1 Academy hasn’t raced at Silverstone before but its spiritual predecessor, W Series did, supporting Formula 1 in 2021 and 2022. In the first of those two events, Alice Powell won with Fabienne Wohlwend in second and Jamie Chadwick in third. In 2022, it was Chadwick who came out on top with Emma Kimiläinen in second and Abbi Pulling in third.
This year, it will serve as the location for F1 Academy’s third round of its 2026 Season. The 3.6 mile circuit boasts eighteen corners, including the iconic Copse, Maggots and Beckets combination as well as Vale and Woodcote. Max Verstappen currently holds the lap record of 1:27.097 which he set back in 2020.
Being Britain in the summertime when F1 Academy visits, good weather is not guaranteed. Both gloriously sunny days and rain drenched weekends have taken place in July’s gone by, as well as suitably mixed conditions, as we saw in 2024. All of these elements combined with the nature of the circuit should provide the F1 Academy drivers with one of their most intriguing and enjoyable challenges yet.
F1 Academy Preview
British driver Alisha Palmowski leads the Championship heading into this round of F1 Academy with 78 points to her name. Emma Felbermayr sits in second place on 53 and Megan Bruce rounds out the top three on 37 points. Palmowski and Bruce are two of five British drivers on the F1 Academy grid this year. Ella Lloyd, Ella Stevens and Rachel Robertson complete that set of five and gives British fans of the series plenty of opportunities to realise at least some glory when F1 Academy goes racing at Silverstone.
Palmowski won two of the three races last time out in Canada with Mathilda Paatz winning the third. Will Palmowski strike again on home soil or will either one of the other Championship contenders or someone new best her in single seater combat?