As the F1 Academy gears up for Round 2 of the 2026 season, excitement builds at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. This venue will host three thrilling races during the all-female series’ first North American stop. Here’s what to look forward to this weekend in the championship.
The Title Race: A Competitive Landscape
The current standings hinge on intense competition. Emma Felbermayr, initially not seen as a title contender, now leads the Drivers’ Standings. After a solid performance in Shanghai, where she secured a feature race victory, Felbermayr sits six points ahead of second-placed Alisha Palmowski. Third in the rankings is Nina Gademan, who won the Reverse Grid Race.
Key Drivers
- Emma Felbermayr (Rodin Motorsport) – 1st Place
- Alisha Palmowski – 2nd Place
- Nina Gademan (Alpine) – 3rd Place
This weekend, Felbermayr aims for another victory on a track where she previously clinched her first win.
Expanded Race Format in Montreal
Fans can anticipate an action-rich schedule, with three races set for the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The new race format, introduced in Montreal, also appears in the upcoming Austin round. This adjustment brings the total number of races in the 2026 season to 14.
The race weekend begins with the Opening Race on Saturday, using drivers’ second-best qualifying times for grid placement. The Reverse Grid Race follows with the top eight from qualifying inverted, while the Feature Race concludes the weekend. With up to 65 points available, drivers must balance aggression with consistency.
Race Weekend Schedule
- Opening Race: Saturday morning
- Reverse Grid Race: Saturday afternoon
- Feature Race: Sunday morning
Highlighting the Wild Card Driver
This weekend marks the debut of Autumn Fisher as the 14th Wild Card driver in the F1 Academy. The 18-year-old has prior experience in both French and British F4 Championships. Fisher aims to break through and secure her spot in the top 10 during her home event, hoping to become the first Wild Card driver to achieve podium success.
Drivers Seeking Redemption
Alba Larsen and Ella Lloyd will look to rebound after challenging outings in Shanghai. Larsen, who previously qualified near the front, had a disappointing race weekend. Despite showing promise, a late Safety Car incident dashed her hopes of victory, relegating her to eighth place.
Lloyd, after a lackluster qualifying session, finished with points in seventh and fifth places, which did not meet her expectations. Both drivers need strong showings this weekend to re-enter the title contention.
Rookie Performers
Payton Westcott and Natalia Granada emerged as standout rookies in Round 1. Granada impressed many by finishing second in the Reverse Grid Race during her single-seater debut. Westcott followed up with a strong third-place result in the Feature Race, signaling a promising season ahead for these newcomers.
Rookies to Watch
- Natalia Granada
- Payton Westcott
- Lisa Billard
- Mathilda Paatz
Despite limited testing opportunities at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, these rookies will be keen to capitalize on the three races available to them.
As Montreal prepares for the F1 Academy, the anticipation is palpable. With a competitive field and dynamic racing format, this weekend promises not to disappoint.
