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Although there are two months to wait before F1 ACADEMY returns in Montreal, the racing calendar remains packed with familiar names. From junior single-seaters to endurance racing, rallying and even all-electric powerboat competition, past and present F1 ACADEMY drivers are staying sharp across April and May.
Here is a comprehensive look at where they will be racing.
Several drivers are using the break to build experience across parallel programmes.
Alba Larsen continues her development with selected rounds of the 2026 British F4 season alongside her F1 ACADEMY campaign. The Dane made seven appearances last year, securing a best finish of P11 at Silverstone on the National Circuit layout. The 2026 British F4 season opens at Donington Park (National) on April 18–19, before further rounds at Brands Hatch Indy (May 9–10), Snetterton (300) (May 23–24) and Silverstone (Grand Prix Circuit) (May 30–31).
Joining the British F4 grid is former F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE karter Chiara Bättig, who steps up to her first full season in cars with Hitech as a Red Bull junior.
Mathilda Paatz embarks on her sophomore campaign in the F4 CEZ Championship with Mathilda Racing. Her season begins at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg (April 10–12) before continuing at the Salzburgring (May 29–31).
Mercedes’ Payton Westcott returns for a second season in the Italian F4 Championship, kicking off at the Misano World Circuit (May 8–10).
In the United States, Kaylee Countryman resumes her USF2000 Championship effort at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (May 7–9), adding to the two rounds she has already contested this season.
The 2024 F1 ACADEMY Champion Abbi Pulling returns for a second GB3 Championship campaign with Rodin Motorsport. Last year, the Briton became the series’ first female podium finisher, claiming P3 at Brands Hatch. Her 2026 season begins at Silverstone’s Grand Prix Circuit (April 25–26) before heading to Spa-Francorchamps (May 30–31).
She is joined on the grid by Aurelia Nobels, who begins her rookie GB3 season with Hillspeed. Nobels previously secured her sole F1 ACADEMY podium at the final round in Las Vegas.
Two-time F1 ACADEMY race winner Bianca Bustamante moves into Eurocup-3 with Palou Motorsport. The Filipina reunites with her 2023 F1 ACADEMY team PREMA Racing through the squad’s technical partnership. The eight-round campaign starts at Circuit Paul Ricard (May 1–3).
After a podium on her debut single-seater weekend in the Eurocup-4 Spanish Winter Championship, former DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE karter Luna Fluxá begins her Spanish F4 campaign with Campos Racing at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia (April 10–12).
Meanwhile, Joanne Ciconte competes in Japan’s all-female Kyojo Cup, with her season starting at Fuji International Speedway (May 8–10).
Reigning F1 ACADEMY Champion Doriane Pin balances a demanding schedule. Alongside her role as a Mercedes Development Driver and a forthcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans appearance, she competes in the European Le Mans Series with Duqueine Team in the Pro-Am class. Her ELMS season begins with the 4 Hours of Barcelona (April 10–12), followed by the 4 Hours of Le Castellet (May 1–3).
2023 Vice Champion Léna Bühler returns for a second Le Mans Cup campaign after finishing seventh last season, racing at Barcelona (April 10–11).
Three-time race winner Chloe Chambers transitions to sportscars in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Pro-Am class. After two top-10 finishes on debut at Sebring, she continues her season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (May 1–3).
The first female driver selected for the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool, Amna Al Qubaisi contests Round 2 at Zhuhai International Circuit (April 11–12) before racing at Fuji International Speedway (May 9–10).
Alongside her role as Audi’s Academy Mentor, Carrie Schreiner steps up to the GT World Challenge Europe, competing in both Sprint and Endurance Cups. Her early-season schedule includes the 6 Hours of Paul Ricard (April 11–12), a Sprint appearance at Brands Hatch (May 2–3) and the 3 Hours of Monza (May 30–31).
After completing her Permit A for the Nordschleife, Chloe Chong enters Round 3 of the NĂĽrburgring Langstrecken-Serie in a Porsche 992 GT3 on April 11.
Nicole Havrda begins her first LMP3 campaign in the IMSA VP Racing Sports Car Challenge, driving the No. 2 Shopify Racing powered by TWOth entry at Circuit of the Americas (May 7–9).
Away from circuit racing, Lia Block returns to rally competition in the American Rally Association National Championship. Following a podium at the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, she contests the Olympus Rally in Shelton, Washington (April 17–19).
Finally, Nerea Martà competes in the all-electric E1 Series powerboat championship with Team AlUla, championed by LeBron James. After securing a podium last time out, she heads to Lake Como for Round 2 (April 24–25).
From British F4 and GB3 to ELMS, GT World Challenge, rallying and electric powerboats, the breadth of competition underlines the depth and diversity of F1 ACADEMY’s talent pool. While the series itself pauses until Montreal, its drivers remain firmly in the spotlight across multiple disciplines throughout April and May.
Ciara is a Dublin native, award-winning film producer, podcaster and writer with 20 years of storytelling experience. A lifelong Leinster and Ireland rugby fan, she turned her attention to the grid after moving to Berlin and co-founding Formula Live Pulse. Now, she applies her producer’s brain to Formula 1, navigating the highs of Oscar Piastri’s rise and the unique stress of being an adopted Ferrari fan. She loves talking and talking about F1, if you give her the chance!
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