Alisha Palmowski takes double pole in Montreal F1 Academy qualifying with a 1m38.466s. The 30‑minute session sets Saturday and Sunday grids at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Palmowski controls the run plan from the outset, strings together personal bests, and underlines consistency. Her benchmark lap is 0.390s clear for Sunday’s Feature Race.

Crucially, her second-fastest time stands up, handing pole for Saturday’s Opening Race under the series’ two-lap grid-setting procedure.

Mercedes junior Payton Westcott delivers her best qualifying to date. She takes P2 for the Feature ahead of Megan Bruce and claims a first front-row start.

On second-best laps, Bruce edges Westcott for the Opening Race, showing how a tidy banker remains decisive when peak attempts falter in traffic or track evolution.

Emma Felbermayr and Mathilda Paatz lock P4 and P5 on both grids, their matched pace reflecting sound tyre preparation and a compressed midfield.

Alba Larsen initially completes the top six, chased by Rafaela Ferreira and Kaylee Countryman. Nina Gademan and Lisa Billard secure P9 and P10 respectively on outright pace. Countryman’s classification also secures P1 for the Reverse Grid Race.

Reordering on second-best laps moves Ferreira ahead of Larsen for the Opening Race, with Lisa Billard, Countryman, and Nina Gademan also advancing to complete the top ten.

The session runs on an evolving surface shared with F1. Recent Friday practice trends indicate rapid grip ramp, rewarding late, tidy laps and clean out‑laps.

Palmowski’s execution leaves little margin for rivals. Red Bull carries track-position leverage into Turn 1 for both starts, elevating control over safety-car risks and undercut timing.

Westcott’s step is significant for Mercedes. Straightline efficiency and braking stability could frame a live contest in sector one’s slipstream train.

Several drivers post career-best starts, tightening the midfield. Expect robust wheel‑to‑wheel through the chicanes and opportunities near the Wall of Champions.

The series shares the stage with the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, amplifying scrutiny on procedures, starts, and adaptability across variable weather windows.

Saturday’s race and Sunday’s Feature will expose tyre management and restart discipline. Execution, not raw pace alone, is likely to decide the winners.

Visual Summary

James William

James William covers the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, from the Rolex 24 at Daytona to sprint-race formats. His reports include prototype performance reviews, GT class battles, and pit-stop strategy insights for endurance-racing fans.