F1 ACADEMY has today announced the introduction of a new three-race weekend format for select events in 2026 and beyond, debuting at Round 2 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, and returning at Round 5 at the Circuit of the Americas, Austin, USA.
The new format introduces a brand new ‘Opening Race’ and restores the 2026 calendar to 14 races, following confirmation that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will no longer take place in April.
The Opening Race brings a new strategic opportunity for teams and drivers while offering fans even more racing action. Sitting at the start of the series’ weekend racing schedule, it forms a dynamic trio of formats, alongside the Reverse Grid Race and the Feature Race.
The grid for the Opening Race will be set using each driver’s second fastest qualifying time, adding a tactical element to the sole 30-minute Qualifying session, where drivers must deliver not just one perfect lap, but two.
The Opening Race will award full points and contribute to both the Drivers’ and Teams’ standings. One point will be awarded for the Fastest Lap, with no points awarded for Pole.
Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 ACADEMY™, said: “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.
“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.”
An update to the Sporting Regulations will allow the Opening Race to be added at selected rounds where possible, either to maintain consistency in race count across a season or to make use of additional available track time at an event.
The introduction of the Opening Race has been supported by close collaboration with the promoters in Canada and Austin, whose commitment to enhancing the race-weekend experience for fans and local communities has helped shape the new format.
It also reflects the series’ continued commitment to maintaining strong competitive track time for drivers and delivering an innovative experience for fans both at the circuit and at home.
Delphine Biscaye, Head of Race Operations, added; “The Opening Race gives us an opportunity to evolve the race weekend while protecting the sporting integrity of the series.
“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.”
The inaugural F1 ACADEMY season in 2023 – before the series joined the F1 support bill – featured three races.
This new regulation will not be the first example of F1 ACADEMY adding a third race to an event weekend.
In Abu Dhabi in 2024, an extra race was added to the schedule after the Feature Race at the previous round in Qatar was cancelled following damage to the barriers during another support race.
Rain washed out the Feature Race in Miami in 2025, leading to a third race being added to the following round’s schedule in Montreal.
F1 ACADEMY kicked off its 2026 campaign in Shanghai in March, which saw Mercedes entrant Payton Westcott take home a P3 finish on her maiden weekend with the team.