F1 Academy will run a new three-race format at select rounds of the 2026 season and beyond, it has been confirmed.<\/p>\n
This announcement comes after F1 Academy\u2019s originally-scheduled two races in Saudi Arabia were cancelled. That came as part of the wider axing of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs from the Formula 1 schedule, and that of its relevant support categories.<\/p>\n
F1 Academy introduces three-race format<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n It has been confirmed that F1 Academy will return to F1 2026 action at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where Formula 1 will be in action for the Canadian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n F1 Academy will debut this three-race format in Canada, and it will return later in the season at the Circuit of The Americas.<\/p>\n The \u2018Opening Race\u2019, as race one of three will be called, shall see the grid set based on a driver\u2019s second-fastest qualifying time.<\/p>\n There will be no points for pole, but there will be a fastest lap bonus point. Full points will be awarded. All points scored will count in the Drivers\u2019 and Teams\u2019 standings.<\/p>\n Reacting to the announcement, F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff said: \u201cIntroducing the Opening Race at select rounds underscores our commitment to building a platform where the most talented can thrive by maximising competitive track time.<\/p>\n \u201cAs F1 Academy continues to grow on and off the track, I am continually looking for ways to elevate our race weekends.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to thank our promoters for their support and enthusiasm for this dynamic new format, which will deliver additional on track action in Montreal and Austin and provide a compelling schedule for fans and drivers alike.\u201d<\/p>\n More on the junior ladder to Formula 1<\/p>\n Freddie Slater explains why joining Audi F1 academy was the \u2018right choice\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Bondarev makes history with UAE4 title as Williams faith rewarded<\/a><\/p>\n The reveal of this new F1 Academy format comes at a time when the wider F1 junior ladder schedule is under review, PlanetF1.com understands.<\/p>\n Formula 2 was scheduled to go racing at both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GP weekends. Formula 3 was also due to run in Bahrain.<\/p>\n The Formula 2 and Formula 3 calendars may be revised, with rounds in Miami and Montreal understood to be a possibility.<\/p>\n The first round of F2 and F3 2026 occurred in Melbourne, in what was the season-opening race weekend for Formula 1.<\/p>\n Additional reporting by Thomas Maher and Mat Coch<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n