Montreal welcomes F1 Academy for the first time

As the seven-match campaign reaches its mid-season, the trip to Canada marks a crucial turning point. With a busy weekend ahead, can we expect a new twist in the title fight?

A new destination

Canadian fans are already familiar with Formula 1, but they will now have new drivers to cheer for, all eager to make their mark. Fourteenth circuit to feature on the F1 ACADEMY calendar, this is the second new addition this year after the season opener in Shanghai.

But the context is entirely different. None of the drivers or teams have had the opportunity to drive on this circuit, whether in practice or in another category. Every second of the one and only practice session will therefore be crucial. By accumulating data as they go along, the field will have to quickly get accustomed to this fast circuit, with many opportunities to put this knowledge into practice...

Triple dose of action on track

All the ingredients are in place for an exciting weekend: in addition to having to adapt to a new track, the drivers will compete in three races.

After the cancellation of Race 2 in Miami due to weather conditions, the starting grid initially planned for this event will now be used for Race 1 on Saturday in Montreal. The second race on Saturday will have its grid formed by reversing the top eight from the qualifying session, while the grid for Race 3 on Sunday will be determined based on the best laps achieved in qualifying — the driver on pole on this grid will earn two points.

Full Grand Prix points will be awarded in Races 1 and 3. Only the top eight in Race 2 will score points, with 10 points for the winner down to one point for 8th place. A point for the fastest lap will also be awarded provided the driver finishes in the top 10 in Races 1 or 3, or in the top 8 in Race 2.

For some, it will be an opportunity to gain momentum in the race for the title. For others, they'll need to quickly move on from a poor result to avoid reliving their own version of Groundhog Day.

Maya Weug leads... but just barely

The name of Maya Weug tops the drivers' standings, but the position of the Ferrari driver is far from comfortable. Missing out on the podium by nine-tenths and witnessing the victory of her closest rival, Doriane Pin, in the streets of Miami during Race 1, Maya Weug retained the lead in the standings by just one point.

However, she will have to push hard from the start in Montreal after disappointing qualifications in Miami. Qualified in 10th position, the Dutchwoman will have to climb through the pack to make up for her gap on Pin, who recorded the third-best time.

It is, however, Chloe Chambers who is ideally positioned to aim for her first victory of the season in Race 1, after securing pole position in Miami. With a nine-point deficit to Maya Weug, the Red Bull Ford driver knows she must fully capitalize on her competitor's setback to prevail in the battle for the title.

Also watch out for Alisha Palmowski, currently in fourth place. The Briton may be a newcomer on paper, but the Red Bull Racing driver is not intimidated by more experienced rivals. Her podium finish during her debut in Miami gave her the confidence to aim even higher.

An opportunity for rookies to shake up the established order

Discovering a new circuit may seem intimidating, but it represents a great opportunity for rookies. Unlike in Miami, no driver benefits from prior experience here, and even the most experienced can be caught out by the Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit, as many F1 drivers have already shown.

Alba Larsen, supported by Tommy Hilfiger, had already made a name for herself in Shanghai for her debut in F1 ACADEMY before confirming her talent in Jeddah, but she struggled more in Miami. Without prior testing in Montreal, will she be able to surprise again, or will her lack of experience work against her?

For her part, Ella Lloyd didn't take a break during the pause, racing in British F4. Already victorious on a reversed grid, the McLaren driver is now aiming for a big performance at the Grand Prix on Sunday. Further down in the standings, Canadian Nicole Havrda has had a difficult start to the season, but the support of the local crowd could well give her a new boost. The American Express driver will be keen to shine at home.