Formula 1 cars aren’t just high-speed marvels, they can also be bold works of art expressing team spirit and a creative vision. Drivers are now rolling into Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix events, including 18-year-old British driver Alisha Palmowski. To celebrate Palmowski’s rise in the F1 Academy, the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme and 1Password partnered to create her new racecar livery at an event this week in Toronto. The car reflects Palmowski’s unique path as a woman in the male-dominated sport of competitive racing.

Women On The Track 

There are currently no female drivers competing in the Formula 1 championship—and that’s where the F1 Academy comes in. The initiative offers drivers like Palmowski the opportunity to compete and progress with the goal of reaching higher tiers of motorsport, including Formula 3, Formula 2, and ultimately, Formula 1. And Palmowski is ready to bring home race wins at F1’s only Canadian stop. “I have no interest in finishing second or third—a real winner’s mentality,” said Palmowski. “I just want to keep progressing, keep developing as a driver and hopefully end the year as a stronger driver than I am right now.”

For Palmowski, being a part of the F1 Academy, which was established in 2023, already feels like an incredible accomplishment. “The Academy is really changing the narrative for women and I’m excited to see where it goes in the future,” said Palmowski. “It’s inspiring the next generation, making them realize that motorsport is an avenue that they can pursue if they want to.” 

Racing To The Top

Palmowski began karting in 2018, and quickly made a name for herself by winning the Junior Vice Champion title twice in the 2020 and 2021 Daniel Ricciardo Series racing club. In 2023, she made the switch to cars, joining the Ginetta Junior Championship. She wrapped up her second season in fifth place overall, with an impressive 10 podium finishes. The following year, she stepped it up again in the GB4 Championship—scoring three wins, two pole positions and 11 podiums to become Vice Champion. She made her F1 Academy debut in 2024 in Qatar as a Wild Card entry, finishing fifth in her first race. Now, she’s ready to inspire a growing female fanbase with her car’s new, dynamic look at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. 

Art In Motion

The visual appearance of a racecar, called a livery, isn’t just a quick paint job. Liveries require precision and specialized techniques, blending artistic vision, technical know-how and sponsorship needs. Canadian artist Kirsten McCrea, who built her career as a muralist and street artist, created a one-of-a-kind design for Palmowski that draws inspiration from her rise through the ranks of professional racing. “The mission to open up new pathways for women really resonated with me, as I know what it’s like to be the only woman in the room,” said McCrea. “I wanted to create a design that would smash the stereotypes of what women can achieve in motorsports and would put all eyes on Alisha as she pulls into the league.”

At the heart of the design is a dynamic burst of dandelion seeds floating out from behind the driver, symbolizing ambition and big ideas taking flight. “Dandelion seeds to me are these unstoppable forces,” said McCrea. Inspired by the iconic Expo 67 logo, the design is intended to capture Canada’s forward-thinking spirit, featuring red for Canada and blue for Quebec. “It’s really bold with lots of bright, vibrant colours, which I absolutely love,” said Palmowski. “This livery is a celebration of female excellence in sports, design and technology.” 

Toronto-based cybersecurity 1Password and Red Bull Racing gave McCrea full creative freedom to treat the livery as a story on wheels. The collaboration is all about supporting up-and-coming talent, and working with a local artist brings that commitment to life, said Jeannie De Guzman, COO of 1Password. “Just like in motorsports, cybersecurity has been male-dominated, so the progress and development of women’s pursuits in their professional lives is something that the more you get together, the more power and efficacy you’re going to have over time, and that’s really important,” she said. 

Palmowski is grateful for the support from her partners. Her drive and ambition reflect a spirit of progress, on the track and off it.  For more thought-provoking stories and exclusive content, subscribe to 3 magazine’s print and digital editions today!