The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has confirmed an adjustment to one of its racing calendars following the disruption caused by recent Formula 1 cancellations. The decision comes after both the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Bahrain Grand Prix were called off due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, forcing several support series to rethink their schedules.
While Formula 1 lost two race weekends entirely, the impact on the F1 Academy was slightly different. The all-female championship had only been due to race in Saudi Arabia as part of its 2026 calendar, meaning it needed to find a way to maintain its planned number of races after that single event was scrapped.
To address this, the FIA has approved the addition of two extra races to the F1 Academy season. Rather than introducing entirely new venues, the series will expand existing race weekends at the Canadian Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix. These events will now feature three races instead of the usual two, ensuring the championship still consists of 14 races overall.
The newly introduced contest has been labelled an “opening race” and will take place at the beginning of each race weekend’s schedule. This format change adds an extra layer of excitement and complexity to the competition, as drivers will now have more opportunities to score points across the weekend.
One of the most interesting elements of the new race is how the starting grid will be decided. Instead of relying solely on the fastest qualifying lap, the grid for the opening race will be determined by each driver’s second-best lap time in qualifying. This rule is designed to reward consistency and precision, requiring competitors to deliver more than just one standout performance during qualifying sessions.
The traditional reverse-grid race and feature race formats will remain unchanged, meaning drivers must adapt quickly to different race conditions and strategies throughout the weekend. With full championship points available for the additional race, the stakes have increased significantly, and every session will now play a crucial role in shaping the title fight.
Fans attending the Canadian and United States rounds can look forward to even more on-track action. The Montreal weekend is scheduled to take place from May 22 to 24, while the Austin event, which serves as the penultimate round of the season, will run from October 23 to 25. The expanded schedule offers spectators three chances to watch the drivers compete, further boosting the appeal of the series.
So far, the 2026 F1 Academy season has only completed one race weekend, held alongside the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. Despite the limited track action so far, the early championship standings are already beginning to take shape.
Dutch team MP Motorsport celebrated success in the reverse-grid race, where Nina Gademan claimed victory and secured the maximum 10 points available. However, a fourth-place finish in the feature race means she currently sits third in the standings.
Leading the championship at this early stage is Emma Felbermayr, who delivered an impressive performance to win the feature race in Shanghai. Her strong result has given her a six-point advantage at the top of the standings, marking her as an early contender for the title.
Close behind is Alisha Palmowski of Campos Racing, who remains firmly in the hunt as the season begins to unfold. With many races still to come—and now even more points up for grabs—the championship battle is expected to intensify as the year progresses.
Overall, the FIA’s decision ensures that the F1 Academy season maintains its competitive structure despite external disruptions. By adding extra races to existing weekends, the series not only preserves its schedule but also enhances the spectacle for fans and raises the stakes for drivers chasing championship glory.
