The storylines to look out for as F1 ACADEMY returns in Canada

The F1 ACADEMY series is set to reach its halfway point with an anticipated visit to the iconic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada, marking its 14th unique circuit and second new addition this season. This pivotal round will see the all-female grid tackle a track where no driver or team has prior testing experience, making the single Free Practice session crucial for data gathering and adaptation. Adding to the excitement, the Canadian weekend will feature three races. Race 1’s grid will be determined by the final grid from Miami’s Race 2, which was previously called off. Race 2 will utilize a reverse grid of the top eight qualifiers, while Race 3’s grid will be set by the fastest laps in Qualifying. Full Grand Prix points are on offer in Races 1 and 3, with Race 2 offering points to the top eight finishers. Maya Weug currently leads the standings by a mere point over Doriane Pin. Weug faces an uphill battle starting from P10 due to a challenging Miami qualifying, while Pin secured P3. Chambers, who qualified on pole in Miami, is poised for her first win in Race 1, just nine points behind Weug. Rookie Alisha Palmowski, fresh off a podium in Miami, is also one to watch. This unfamiliar circuit presents a golden opportunity for rookies, including Alba Larsen and Ella Lloyd, as experienced drivers hold no inherent advantage. Canadian Nicole Havrda will also be looking for a boost from her home crowd. Fans can delve deeper into the series with the ‘F1: The Academy’ docuseries now streaming on Netflix.