'A dream come true' - F1 Academy making history at Silverstone

F1 Academy racing at Silverstone for the first time with five British drivers competing on home soil; Championship leader Alisha Palmowski describes it as a "dream come true"; watch round three of the F1 Academy season this weekend at Silverstone live on Sky Sports F1

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>F1 Academy breaks new ground this weekend as the series makes its racing debut at Silverstone as part of a bumper British Grand Prix programme.

>In its fourth season since inception, the all-female series takes its place on the support bill alongside F2 and F3 at the historic track for the first time on Formula 1's Sprint weekend.

>For the five British drivers in this year's F1 Academy field - Megan Bruce, Ella Lloyd, Alisha Palmowski, Rachel Robertson and Ella Stevens - the weekend carries extra significance and excitement in front of what is expected to be a record 565,000 crowd across the event.

>Red Bull-backed Palmowski leads the championship following the 2026 season's opening two rounds after two victories out of three last time out in Canada, with Campos team-mate Bruce third in the standings.

>"It's going to be really special," Palmowski told Sky Sports.

>"My passion for motorsport was unlocked here at Silverstone so it really will be a dream come true.

>"I'm used to being a fan in those grandstands so to now actually be on track and take in all that atmosphere and absorb all of that will be incredible."

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>Palmowski, 19, first attended the British Grand Prix as a young fan in 2015, one of a record nine won by Lewis Hamilton.

>"I was eight years old, I was up at 6am and stood at the front row to get the best view of the cars," she said.

>"It was when I first saw F1 cars in person - the smell, the sound - and I was just hooked instantly."

>Widely considered to be one of motorsport's most revered and challenging tracks, the sweeping Silverstone layout is therefore one of the most enjoyable to drive for drivers.

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>Asked what she was looking forward to about Silverstone the most, McLaren's Lloyd, a podium finisher at the venue in British F4 in 2024, said: "Just the track in general.

>"I've always loved this track, and I've been pretty fast here, so every time I come here I just enjoy driving."

>Friday July 3 7.40am: F1 Academy Practice 5.55pm: F1 Academy Qualifying

>Formula 1 is in Silverstone for a Sprint weekend at the British Grand Prix - live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky One with coverage from Thursday to Sunday's race at 3pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime