GB4 runner-up Alisha Palmowski is the early leader of the F1 Academy after taking victory in the season opener in China.
The British driver, a three-time GB4 race-winner last season, started fourth on the reverse grid for the sprint race, but worked her way up the order and capitalised on a late issue for Nina Gademan to take the lead with a lap to go.
She had to withstand late pressure from Campos teammate Chloe Chambers, but showed all the defensive qualities learned in GB4 last year to hold off the challenge to take a superb victory at the Shanghai International Circuit.
Chambers was able to get into Palmowski's slipstream on a couple of occasions on the final tour, but Alisha placed her car perfectly throughout to keep the lead.
Racing with full Red Bull support, Palmowski was greeted at the end of the race by Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and members of the championship-winning F1 squad.
Palmowski's season-opening triumph continues her run of winning the first race of the year, having done exactly the same in GB4 at Oulton Park last season.
Last year's F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling will race in GB3 this year with Rodin Motorsport, the drive with the multiple champions being her prize for winning the title.
Image credit: Red Bull Content Pool