The fourth season of the F1 Academy, a single-seater racing championship designed to develop and promote female drivers, is set to begin this weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit in China. This marks the series’ return, coinciding with the Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix, and features a mix of returning racers and ten new drivers joining the grid, seven of whom previously participated as Wild Card entries or injury replacements, according to Female in Motorsport.
The 2026 season will consist of seven rounds, all held in conjunction with Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends across six countries: China, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and the United States (Austin and Las Vegas). The series aims to provide a pathway for female drivers to progress towards Formula 1, following in the footsteps of 2023 champion Doriane Pin. The Shanghai round, taking place from March 13-15, will kick off a season mirroring the rules and regulations of the 2025 season, including practice sessions, qualifying, and a reverse-grid Race 1 on Saturday followed by the feature Race 2 on Sunday, as detailed by F1 Academy.
Grid and Teams
Six teams will compete in the 2026 F1 Academy season: MP Motorsport, Hitech, Rodin Motorsports, PREMA Racing, Campos Racing, and ART Grand Prix. Details on the drivers for each team can be found through links provided by Female in Motorsport, offering a closer look at the competitors vying for the championship title.
2026 F1 Academy Schedule
The full 2026 calendar is as follows:
- Round 1: March 13-15, Shanghai, China
- Round 2: April 17-19, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Round 3: May 22-24, Montreal, Canada
- Round 4: July 3-5, Silverstone, Great Britain
- Round 5: August 21-23, Zandvoort, Netherlands
- Round 6: October 23-25, Austin, United States
- Round 7: November 19-21, Las Vegas, United States
This schedule, as reported by F1 Academy, ensures the series maintains a high profile alongside the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1.
Weekend Format
The race weekend format, introduced in 2025 and continuing into 2026, will consist of three days of action. Friday will feature up to two practice sessions, each lasting a maximum of 40 minutes. Saturday will include a 30-minute qualifying session and Race 1, utilizing a reverse grid format. The weekend will conclude on Sunday with Race 2, the feature race. This structure, outlined by Female in Motorsport, aims to provide competitive racing and opportunities for drivers to showcase their skills.
The return of F1 Academy to Shanghai also coincides with the broader return of the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix after a hiatus. The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix will feature a Sprint race format, adding another layer of competition to the weekend, as noted by Formula 1. Free Practice 1 is scheduled to begin on March 13 at 11:30 local time (UTC +8).
As the F1 Academy prepares for its fourth season, the series continues to play a crucial role in fostering female talent within motorsport. The Shanghai opener sets the stage for a competitive year, with drivers aiming to follow in the footsteps of previous champions and potentially pave the way for future opportunities in Formula 1. The next step will be observing the performance of the drivers during the practice sessions in Shanghai and assessing their strategies for the qualifying and race events.
What are your predictions for the 2026 F1 Academy season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
