Lisa Billard has had an encouraging but inconsistent start to her rookie 2026 F1 Academy campaign. She arrived with significant expectations after impressing at the inaugural Rookie Test. Turning that raw pace into points has proven more straightforward than for some of her peers, but a podium finish has so far eluded her. Billard heads into the summer break 12th in the Drivers’ Standings with 15 points.
A promising debut in the 2026 F1 Academy season at Shanghai
Billard made her F1 Academy debut at the 2026 Chinese GP and gave an immediate indication of her potential. The Reverse Grid Race saw her finish in 10th, giving her a point in the championship. The Feature Race was more rewarding, with Billard crossing the line seventh to score six points and move into the top half of the standings after just one round. For a driver making her debut, seven points from her opening weekend was a strong foundation to build on.
Billard adds to her points tally at Round 2 of the 2026 F1 Academy season
F1 Academy arrived in Montreal for Round 2, with the Canadian round introducing a three-race format for the first time. Billard did not score in the Opening Race but bounced back in the Reverse Grid Race, finishing eighth to add five more points to her tally.
The Feature Race did not deliver further points, and Billard was unfortunate rather than at fault. On the opening lap, a collision with teammate Ella Lloyd spun Billard around and dropped her to the back of the field. She recovered to finish outside the points, but the result flattered neither driver and cost Billard what could have been a productive afternoon.
Mixed Silverstone round leaves Billard still searching for a podium
Silverstone brought Billard’s best qualifying performance of the 2026 F1 Academy season. She was the first to post a competitive lap on the second run, setting a 2:02.180 that put her top of the timesheets. Only Bättig‘s historic effort bettered it, with her going on to claim pole. For Billard, it was a clear sign of how much she had improved since Shanghai.
The Reverse Grid Race was straightforward by comparison. Billard came home ninth and added three more points to her tally, keeping her season moving in the right direction.
The Feature Race undid Billard’s good work of the weekend. Starting third, the damage could not have been worse timed. Billard stalled at lights out and was left stranded as the field went past. She eventually got going but could not recover the lost ground and finished outside the points.
What the second half of the 2026 F1 Academy season holds for Lisa Billard
Billard carries 15 points into the second half of the 2026 F1 Academy season. Three rounds remain at Zandvoort, Austin, and Las Vegas. Her qualifying pace has improved with every round, and Silverstone showed she can challenge at the very front. The next step is converting that into a maiden podium. If she can string a full weekend together, a podium is well within reach.
