By the Numbers: My 2026 Season So Far

Ana Palestro in her helmet in the cockpit of her F4 car on the grid at Laguna Seca, with a crew member in a headset beside the car

I’m always focused on the grid!

October 2026 update: I now lead the WRS on 45 points after sweeping Laguna Seca. See current standings →

I’m two-thirds of the way through the 2026 Formula Pro USA Western Championship. Eight of twelve races are done, so here’s the recap as we head into the summer break!

Where the championship stands: I’m second in the Women’s Racing Series with 29 points to the leader’s 31 points - it’s close! Through eight races I’ve finished on the podium every single time: three wins, four P2s, and a P3.

Race by race:

Sonoma Races 1-2 — P2 and P2

Sonoma Races 3-4 — P1 and P1

Thunderhill Races 5-6 — P2 and P3

Laguna Seca Races 7-8 — P1 and P2

Ana Palestro smiling in the Laguna Seca paddock beside a member of her team

My team and I are proud of what we’ve accomplished.

I’m also proud of how much closer I’ve gotten to the front of the overall field. The field is highly competitive, with experienced drivers and record-setters. Since late April, I’ve been within about 5 seconds of the outright fastest lap at every track I’ve raced in both qualifying sessions and races.

Ana Palestro's #177 F4 car racing through the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca ahead of a rival

It’s an honor to drive at Laguna Seca and to experience the Corkscrew! (#177)

The clearest before-and-after is Laguna Seca. In June 2025, my best qualifying lap there was a 1:40.3. This June, my best qualifying lap was a 1:34.9. That’s 6.3 seconds faster than my time in 2025, and it turned into the WRS win from pole and sixth overall in the 13-car mixed F4 field, my best overall finish to date.

What’s left: I’m back at Laguna Seca October 2-4 for Races 9 and 10, and at Sonoma Raceway for the final championship round on November 6-8.

Ana Palestro holding a trophy in the Laguna Seca Winners Circle with Kiwi Motorsport team members and supporters

Driving for Kiwi Motorsport, I’m ready to battle for the championship trophy!

Sources: Formula Pro USA official points (formulaprousa.com/about-fpusa/series-points), official timing at race-monitor.com and speedhive.mylaps.com.

Ana Palestro

Ana Palestro is a 16 year old F4 driver currently racing for Kiwi Motorsport. Building on a lifelong passion for cars, she has dedicated the last two years of her life to honing her racecraft and taking major steps on and off track - all in pursuit of a long and successful racing career.  Learn more about Ana at anapalestro.com, and follow her on social media.  To discuss partnership and other opportunities, contact partnerships@anapalestro.com.  Article and images: copyright 2026, Ana Motorsports LLC 

https://www.anapalestro.com
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I Swept Laguna Seca and Took the WRS Points Lead

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Race Report — WRS at Laguna Seca 2026: Pole by 2 Seconds, a Win, and a Fight Back to P2