F1 Academy returns to Montreal: five key stories to watch at Round 2

Almost two months after a dramatic season opener in Shanghai, the 2026 F1 Academy season rolls back into action this weekend at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Montreal produced some of last year's most memorable racing in the series, and with a brand-new format and an increasingly competitive field, Round 2 promises to deliver even more.

A New Format Changes Everything

The format carries serious championship implications. A maximum of 65 points is available to drivers across the three races, with 145 on offer for the teams — figures that could prove decisive come the end of the year. The same format will also feature at the penultimate round in Austin.

The grid for the Opening Race will be set by each driver's second-fastest time from Friday evening's Qualifying session. That means consistency will be just as valuable as outright pace — a nuance that will demand a careful, calculated approach from every driver in the field.

The circuit itself already represents one of the most punishing challenges on the calendar. Demanding even for seasoned campaigners, the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve offers little margin for error. The opening chicane was a flashpoint for clashes last year, while the notorious Wall of Champions remains an ever-present threat. All three races will run over 17 laps each.

The weather forecast adds another layer of unpredictability. Friday's Free Practice and Qualifying sessions, along with Saturday's Opening Race, should see dry and sunny conditions. However, there is a high likelihood of showers for both of the remaining races — a potential leveller that could shuffle the order and hand those further back in the field a genuine opportunity.

Can Larsen Bounce Back?

For Alba Larsen, Shanghai was a weekend of what-ifs. The Ferrari driver qualified on the front row for the first time in her F1 Academy career and looked well-placed for a breakthrough result — but she would leave China with only four points to show for her efforts.

In the Reverse Grid Race, a bold but ill-timed move on Emma Felbermayr backfired and left Larsen with a broken front wing. In the Feature Race, having snatched the lead from polesitter Alisha Palmowski on the opening lap, the Dane appeared destined for her maiden victory — until a mistimed Safety Car restart sent her careering through the gravel at the final corner. A P8 salvage was all she could manage.

The damage to her championship position is real: Larsen now sits 27 points behind standings leader Felbermayr. Montreal was a productive hunting ground last year, where she claimed two P5 finishes across the three races, but she cannot afford the same conservatism this time. A maiden podium or outright win is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity if she intends to keep her title aspirations credible.

Felbermayr and Rodin Looking to Cement Their Lead

If Shanghai established anything conclusively, it is that Emma Felbermayr is a genuine title contender. The 19-year-old Audi driver entered the season as something of an underdog, but her performance in China was a statement of intent.

After securing her first Qualifying top-three result, Felbermayr delivered a commanding drive in the Reverse Grid Race to take third, then controlled the Feature Race from front to back with a composure that belied her relative inexperience. A slow start from Palmowski and Larsen's restart error opened the door, but Felbermayr had the pace and the nerve to walk through it cleanly.

Montreal holds positive memories for both driver and team. Felbermayr claimed her maiden F1 Academy victory at this circuit last year, while her Rodin Motorsport teammate Ella Lloyd delivered a hat-trick of P2 finishes across the weekend. The task now is to build on that foundation. Felbermayr will look to replicate the metronomic consistency that carried her through Shanghai, while Rodin will be pushing Lloyd to step up into podium contention — a result that could bring her into the title picture as well.

With the series' commercial momentum growing — as explored in how Charlotte Tilbury helped unlock F1 Academy's commercial revolution — the spotlight on drivers like Felbermayr has never been brighter.

Rookies Hungry for More

With six returning drivers on the 2026 grid, the rookies face a steep climb towards the front. But several of them have wasted no time in announcing themselves.

Payton Westcott was the standout newcomer in Shanghai, the Mercedes driver producing a P3 finish in the Feature Race that suggested real long-term potential. Natalia Granada made history in the Reverse Grid Race, reaching the podium not only on her series debut but in her very first single-seater race — a remarkable achievement by any measure.

Lisa Billard, Megan Bruce, and Ava Dobson all opened their points accounts in China and will each be looking to use that momentum as a foundation for a stronger showing this weekend.

Round 2 will test the rookies in a new way. With all but Mathilda Paatz making their first visit to the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, there is no prior data to fall back on. Combined with only a single Free Practice session before Qualifying, the margin for gradual adaptation is essentially zero. The rookies will need to get up to speed fast — but with three races now on offer, the opportunities to score big are greater than ever before.