Emma Felbermayr’s performance in Shanghai reshapes Rodin Motorsport’s season start, pushing the team to the top of the standings through strategic execution.

The opening phase of the F1 Academy 2026 delivers a clear early narrative: Rodin Motorsport has turned consistency into competitive advantage. In Shanghai, the team didn’t just score points — it built a foundation that now places it at the top of the Teams’ Standings, driven by the execution of Emma Felbermayr.

The 19-year-old driver leveraged her experience in the series. She converted a P3 qualifying result into a double outcome: a podium in Race 1 and victory in Race 2, finishing the weekend as the highest points scorer. Her performance was defined by decision-making in key moments rather than outright dominance.

In the reverse grid race (a format where starting positions are partially inverted to increase competition), Felbermayr avoided a near incident and executed a decisive last-lap overtake to secure a podium. In Race 2, her race awareness proved decisive, capitalizing on a mistake at the Safety Car restart (a neutralization period that bunches the field) to take the lead.

The impact extends beyond individual performance. Rodin Motorsport now leads the Teams’ Championship by four points, supported by strong contributions across its lineup. Ella Lloyd recovered from a difficult qualifying to score points in both races, climbing through the field with consistent pace.

The team’s third driver adds another layer to the analysis. Rookie Ella Stevens showed immediate adaptation in her second single-seater weekend, staying close on pace and completing both races without major errors, despite missing out on points.

From a team perspective, preparation was key. “It’s Emma’s second year, and that shows in her approach. She worked extremely hard over the winter, especially on the simulator, and it’s all come together,” said Team Principal Benn Huntingford.

The start of the F1 Academy 2026 season delivers more than results — it sets a direction. And for now, Rodin Motorsport is leading it.

Thumbnail credits: Getty Images – Audi Media Center