F1 Academy is making changes to its race weekend formats in Montreal and Austin this year, restoring the calendar to 14 races after the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The rounds in Montreal and Austin will feature three races instead of the standard two, with the new addition being dubbed the ‘Opening Race.’ The grid will be set by the drivers’ second-fastest qualifying times during the 30-minute session, which places a stronger emphasis on producing consistent laps.
Full points will be awarded for the ‘Opening Race,’ and while the fastest lap from the race does receive a single point, the driver who takes pole will not be awarded extra points, like how the pole position driver for Race 2 typically receives two points.
“Introducing the Opening Race at select rounds underscores our commitment to building a platform where the most talented can thrive by maximising competitive track time,” managing director Susie Wolff said in the release.
“As F1 Academy continues to grow on and off the track, I am continually looking for ways to elevate our race weekends. I’d 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.”
According to the news release, the Montreal and Austin race promoters collaborated with and supported the introduction of the ‘Opening Race.’ Additionally, the category’s sporting regulations have been updated to allow this third race to be an option at selected rounds in the future.
“The Opening Race gives us an opportunity to evolve the race weekend while protecting the sporting integrity of the series,” Delphine Biscaye, head of race operations, said in the release. “By setting the grid using each driver’s second-fastest qualifying time, we’re adding another layer of strategy to the weekend.
“This approach also provides the flexibility to replace a postponed race if needed and allows us to make the most of any additional track time available on the Grand Prix weekend schedule.”
F1 Academy was one of the multiple categories impacted by the cancellation of F1’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, which were set to take place on April 12 and April 19 respectively.
Formula 2 was set to race both weekends, while Formula 3 was due to compete in Bahrain. F1 Academy’s second round of its calendar was scheduled for Saudi Arabia, a track that’s been on the all-women racing series’ slate since 2024.
F1 Academy may only have six rounds in five countries this season, but maintaining the 14-race count keeps the integrity of the championship.
It is not the first time that the racing category has run a three-race weekend — it has done so in the past when weather has impacted running, like in Miami in 2025. The following round, which was Canada, featured three races.