Payton Westcott Secures Maiden Podium on F1 Academy Debut with PREMA and Mercedes Junior F1 Team

Shanghai, China – F1 Academy Round 1, March 13–15, 2026

Payton Westcott made an immediate impact on her full-season debut in the 2026 F1 Academy Championship, securing a podium finish during the opening round at the Shanghai International Circuit. Representing the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team as part of the Mercedes F1 Junior Team and racing with PREMA Racing, the American driver delivered a composed and competitive performance across the weekend.

Westcott entered the season opener following her selection as Mercedes’ representative for the 2026 campaign, stepping into a highly competitive grid in one of the most prominent development platforms for female drivers. Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team confirmed her place in the lineup earlier in the year, with the programme designed to accelerate her development alongside a dual campaign in Italian F4.

The weekend began on a positive note, with Westcott showing strong pace in Free Practice—setting the third-fastest time of the session and immediately placing herself among the front-runners. In qualifying, she demonstrated similar competitiveness, initially setting a lap good enough for the top positions before track limits issues affected her final classification. A subsequent review reinstated her fastest lap, underlining her raw pace over a single lap.

In Race 1, Westcott scored points on debut, finishing inside the top eight in a race won by Nina Gademan. The result marked a solid start to her rookie campaign, with valuable experience gained in wheel-to-wheel conditions.

The highlight of the weekend came in Race 2, where Westcott delivered a breakthrough performance. Starting from the front half of the grid, she executed a controlled and mature drive to secure P3, earning her maiden podium in F1 Academy. The result not only marked a milestone in her young career but also established her as the leading rookie in the championship standings after the opening round.

Westcott’s performance in Shanghai represents a strong statement at the beginning of her first full F1 Academy season. Combining pace, composure, and adaptability, she demonstrated her ability to compete at the front against more experienced drivers while continuing her development within the Mercedes F1 Junior Team structure.

With a podium on debut, Westcott becomes the youngest driver to achieve a podium in F1 Academy, as well as the first rookie to score points in both races of her debut weekend. She leaves Shanghai with strong momentum, establishing herself as a standout rookie for the 2026 season.