The all-female racing series F1 Academy returns to North America for Round 2 at the Circuit Gilles‑Villeneuve in Montreal. The weekend runs from May 22–24, and the schedule uses the revised three‑race format that gives drivers extra chances to score points and climb the standings. This short guide explains when the action happens, how to follow it live and which storylines are worth watching as the field reconvenes after Shanghai.
Fans in the paddock or watching from home should note the key session times: Friday begins with free practice from 09:00–09:40 (local time, UTC‑4) and finishes with Qualifying at 18:00–18:30. Saturday hosts two races: the Opening Race at 09:45–10:15 (grid set by drivers’ second‑fastest qualifying times) and the Reverse Grid Race at 18:05–18:35 (top eight from qualifying reversed). The weekend concludes with the Feature Race on Sunday, lights out at 10:45–11:15. All times are local to Montreal.
How to follow the weekend live
There are multiple ways to keep up with the on‑track action. Qualifying and the three races will be streamed free on the F1 Academy YouTube channel, while every session is also available via F1TV and selected international broadcasters. For fans who want lap‑by‑lap detail, the official Live Timing page provides real‑time telemetry and timing gaps. If you plan to attend in person, bring appropriate ear protection and check broadcast schedules in your territory before planning arrival times at the grandstands.
Main storylines to watch in Montreal
Title battle and recent form
The championship picture remains tight after Shanghai. Emma Felbermayr currently leads the standings after a standout performance in the opening round, having converted strong qualifying pace into feature‑race success. Alisha Palmowski is close behind and showed authority with pole pace, while Nina Gademan demonstrated pace and racecraft with a Reverse Grid Race victory. With the extra race in Montreal, drivers can earn more points in a single weekend: the Opening Race and Feature Race award full Grand Prix points to the top 10, while the Reverse Grid Race points only the top eight. That makes consistency and recovery skills just as important as outright speed.
What the three‑race format changes
The expanded weekend format creates fresh tactical layers. The Opening Race grid is formed by each driver’s second‑fastest qualifying lap, which rewards stable two‑lap pace rather than a single flyer. The afternoon Reverse Grid Race inverts the top eight from qualifying to generate on‑track overtaking and mixed strategies. Over the weekend a driver can score up to a maximum haul of points, which increases the reward for aggressive but careful racecraft; teams will balance attack with preserving tyres and avoiding incidents. Expect extra position swaps and strategic gambles at the Circuit Gilles‑Villeneuve’s long straights and chicanes.
Drivers to keep an eye on
Alongside the established frontrunners, Montreal brings a new wildcard entry and a competitive rookie crop. Autumn Fisher, the 18‑year‑old Wild Card representing Standard Chartered, returns to North America keen to make an impression after prior testing and single‑seater experience in F4. A Wild Card has yet to reach the podium in this series, but the added points in the three‑race weekend and a tight midfield raise her chances of breaking into the top 10. Rookies who impressed in Shanghai — such as Payton Westcott and Natalia Granada — will look to build momentum, while drivers with more experience at Gilles‑Villeneuve like Mathilda Paatz could translate track knowledge into strong results.
Paddock access and fan services
If you want paddock access, the F1 Academy paddock will be in the Orange Zone behind Grandstand 15 and opens at select times: Friday 11:10–16:30, Saturday 11:45–16:15 and Sunday 13:30–15:30. Organisers will run autograph sessions on Friday 10:30–11:00, Saturday 11:15–11:45 and Sunday 12:30–13:00. Spaces are limited and operate on a first‑come, first‑served basis; note that the paddock is only accessible to autograph session attendees during those slots. These sessions are the best opportunity to meet drivers in person and secure signed memorabilia.
Final notes and what to expect
Weather can influence strategy, and a Sunday shower would add an extra variable to the Feature Race at a track known for late twists. Whether you follow via the F1 Academy YouTube stream, F1TV or in‑venue timing boards, the Montreal weekend promises close competition, tactical variety and moments that could reshape the standings. Keep an eye on tyre management, restart execution and how rookies adapt to limited track time — the three‑race format rewards resilience as much as raw speed.
