Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Academy Programme and Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme have renewed the contracts of Rafaela Ferreira and Alisha Palmowski for the 2026 F1 Academy season.
Red Bull Academy Programme has confirmed that both Rafa and Alisha will continue with the Team for the 2026 campaign, building on the strong foundations set during their rookie seasons as they embark on their second year in the series.
Rafa began her first full season racing outside of Brazil with VCARB in 2025, having enjoyed great success in F4 Brazilian Championship in 2024. Over the course of the year, the 20-year-old has developed her craft as a racing driver, scoring points on five occasions, including a season's best result of P5 in the Reverse Grid race in Shanghai.
Alisha, from Manchester, England, made an immediate impact, winning on debut in the Reverse Grid race in Shanghai. The 19-year-old British rookie has impressed in her maiden season, securing four podium finishes and is on course to record a top-five finish in the championship, amassing 73 points with two races remaining.
With all ten Formula One teams committing to a multi-year extension supporting F1 Academy, the Red Bull Academy Programme will continue to oversee both the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Academy Programme and the Red Bull Racing Academy Programme as they head into 2026 and beyond.
As Red Bull Academy Programme enters its third season, the Team remains dedicated to its mission of providing full-time support to its drivers, both on and off the track, and continuing its role in developing the next generation of female racing talent.
Peter Bayer, CEO of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, said: "Everyone at VCARB is thrilled to have Rafa represent our team for another season. She has become a big part of our family over the last year, and both Alan and I are excited to see how she continues to develop going into her second season."
Rafaela Ferreira, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Academy Programme driver, said: “Returning for another season in F1 Academy will give me the chance to further develop my skills as a driver and I’m honoured to represent the VCARB family in the series.”
Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, said: "We're very excited that Alisha will be continuing her journey in F1 Academy with Red Bull Racing. She has had a very promising rookie season and is going from strength to strength. She embodies the Red Bull spirit and is a fantastic flagbearer for Red Bull Racing in F1 Academy."
Alisha Palmowski, Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme driver, said: “I’m really excited to continue my F1 Academy journey with Red Bull Racing. I’ve loved being part of the Team this last year and can’t wait to continue working hard next season.”
Sarah Harrington, Red Bull Academy Programme Manager, said: "As a Team, we're delighted to keep Alisha and Rafa on board for next year. We've enjoyed some great moments with both of them this season, particularly their debuts in Shanghai. Both have continued to progress as the year has gone on, and we're eager to see their development as second-year drivers in 2026.”