F1 ACADEMY returns after weeks of rest and reset, after the first three rounds of the calendar. The series moves towards the halfway mark of its seven round campaign with Canada for round 4. We approach a pivotal point of the season where anything can happen in the Championship standings. The Canadian GP weekend brings plenty of opportunities for the drivers to shake up the championship, with Miami’s postponed Race 3 taking place this weekend also.
A new destination for the F1 ACADEMY calendar
This will be the all-female series’ first ever visit to the iconic Circuit de Gilles-Villeneuve. Making it the 15th circuit to be featured on an F1 ACADEMY calendar since the series’ debut in 2023. The Canadian GP is one of three new circuits added to the F1 ACADEMY calendar. The other two being the addition of the Chinese GP and the Las Vegas GP.
The Canadian GP will create an even playing field for the drivers and teams, with no prior experience at track. Their lack of prior track time means Free Practice this weekend will be important for both the drivers and their teams. With only one Free Practice session this weekend, they will be looking to maximise their time on the track to learn about about the high-speed circuit.
Triple race weekend
The Canadian GP weekend will be an thrilling weekend not only due to the F1 ACADEMY drivers adapting to a new track. There will be three races taking place during the weekend with plenty of points for grabs. The field will be looking forward to change up the standings during these races.
The last time we saw the F1 ACADEMY drivers on track was in Miami. Race 2 was cancelled following persistent rain at the track. The race was delayed then postponed with no points awarded. The final grid from Miami Race 2 will be used to establish the grid for Race 1 on Saturday for the F1 ACADEMY Canadian GP weekend. Chambers will start from pole in this postponed race.
Qualifying will continue as per normal for the weekend. The top eight of the qualifying time chart will gain the advantage of a reverse grid for Race 2 on Saturday. The grid for the final race of the F1 ACADEMY Canadian GP weekend will be decided by the drivers’ fastest lap in Qualifying. The driver on pole on the final grid will also be receiving two points.
Extra points available
Full Grand Prix points will be up for grabs in Race 1 and 3. However, only the top eight drivers of race 2 will be receiving points. 10 points going to the winner down to one point for the driver in eighth. A point will be awarded for the fastest lap in each race. If the driver finishes in the top ten in Race 1 or 3, or in the top eight of Race 2.
With a multitude of opportunities for points this weekend, this is a golden opportunity to build momentum and steer their season in the right direction.
Will Weug continue to top the standings?
Entering Round 4, Maya Weug tops the Driver’s Championship Standings with 64 points to her name. However, the Championship battle between the top two is separated by a single point. Weug missed out on a podium by nine tenths on the streets of Miami for Race 1. Her biggest threat Doriane Pin is closing in behind her, having won Race 1 herself.
Race 1 of the F1 ACADEMY Canadian GP weekend will be crucial for the Ferrari Academy driver to maintain her lead. Following a disappointing qualifying session in Miami, the Dutch driver will be starting in P10. Pin however will be starting in P3. Weug will have to climb to field in Race 1 to regain her lost ground on Pin.
The French driver isn’t the only one threatening Weug’s P1 standing. Chloe Chambers obtained her first win of the season in Race 1 of the Miami GP weekend, and is only 9 points behind Weug. The Red Bull Ford driver will hope to capitalise on Weug’s poor qualifying to put herself at the forefront of the title fight. She will be advantaged in this, starting Race 1 of the F1 ACADEMY Canadian GP weekend on pole.
Alisha Palmowski is another driver to look out for this weekend. The British rookie who is currently fourth in the championship standings is 20 points behind Weug. However, she still has a fighting chance. Her win on debut in Shanghai, shows she isn’t afraid to go against her more experienced rivals.
An opportunity for the rookies
With Canada being an unfamiliar track for all drivers and teams, a golden opportunity presents itself for the rookies. With Round 4 being the debut of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in F1 ACADEMY, the weekend will present an even playing field. As seen in F1, even experienced drivers can get caught out by the track. This will be a chance for the rookies to change up the order of the standings and prove their skills.
Alba Larsen made an impressive F1 ACADEMY debut with Tommy Hilfiger in Shanghai at the start of the 2025 season. This momentum continued into Jeddah however she struggled to pull pace in Miami, leaving the weekend empty handed. Montreal will provide the Dane an opportunity to bounce back.
Another rookie many have eyes on is Ella Lloyd. Lloyd didn’t step away from the wheel during the break, instead competing in British F4. She secured her second top-ten finish of the season in the Wera Tools British Formula 4 Championship at Snetterton. The Brit has one reverse grid win to her name in the series, and will be looking for more victories this weekend.
It will be a homecoming race for Nicole Havrda who has faced a difficult start to her rookie F1 ACADEMY season. The American Express driver will be looking to perform in front of her home crowd with the local support.
