F1 Academy heads to Montreal in 2025, making history with its first-ever appearance in Canada, at the legendary Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.
The North American round from June 13th to 15th marks a key milestone in the championship as the series moves over the halfway point in the season. But it also marks an unprecedented challenge for every driver on the grid.
With intensifying rivalries, emerging stories, and anticipation building around a potential surprise from the Wild Card Driver, here’s what to expect from a weekend that promises excitement and fresh twists.
F1 Academy 2025: Season Recap – What’s Happened So Far
The 2025 season has already delivered high drama and strong emotions across the first three rounds in Shanghai, Jeddah, and Miami.
Leading the standings is Maya Weug, driving for MP Motorsport with 64 points. She is closely followed by Doriane Pin (PREMA Racing) with 63 points.
Rounding out the top three is Chloe Chambers (Campos Racing), who currently has 55 points.
The F1 Academy drivers have shown remarkable competitiveness so far, producing tightly contested and unpredictable races.
In the season opener in Shanghai, Alisha Palmowski claimed her first victory, after Nina Gademan retired on the penultimate lap. Doriane Pin dominated the second race with a flawless performance. In Jeddah, young Ella Lloyd surprised everyone with a brilliant win, followed by a victory for Maya Weug, after Chloe Chambers received a penalty. The first race in Miami spotlighted Doriane Pin once again, while adverse weather conditions forced the cancellation of the second race. That cancelled second race will be run as a third race when F1 Academy goes racing in Montreal.
There were also some dramatic events, such as the accident involving Nina Gademan during pre-race testing in Saudi Arabia. Elsewhere, Chloe Chong had received a 10-second penalty in Shanghai for causing a collision with Joanne Ciconte. In Miami, there was also a dramatic moment when Ella Lloyd collided with Rafaela Ferreira at Turn 1, leading to her retirement and a three-place grid penalty for the following race.
With several rounds still to come, the title fight is more open than ever, and F1 Academy making its debut in Montreal is the next crucial step for everyone battling it out.
Drivers to Watch: Weug, Pin, Chambers & More
This new championship season has seen the rise of key contenders who are currently dominating the field. This includes the previously mentioned Maya Weug, Doriane Pin, and Chloe Chambers, while other drivers are working to climb back up the standings after a challenging start to the year.
Brazilian-Belgian driver Aurelia Nobels of ART Grand Prix has collected just 3 points so far, earned in Miami, while Canadian Nicole Havrda of Hitech TGR remains pointless. Perhaps her home circuit will offer the chance to turn things around.
This F1 Academy season has also introduced some exciting rookies for us to watch. Alba Hurup Larsen of MP Motorsport, with a strong background in racing, has already secured 28 points. Emma Felbermayr of Rodin Motorsport, backed by Sauber, is another promising name—not new to the racing world—and has already impressed fans with her performances.
Among the returning drivers, Chloe Chong is perhaps the most recognizable. She raced in F1 Academy back in 2023 and raced elsewhere in 2024. Meanwhile, rivalries at the top of the standings—such as the one between Weug, Pin, and Chambers—are making this season particularly thrilling.
Circuit Challenges and Weather Uncertainty
All eyes are now on how the legendary and beloved Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will take centre stage for the next round of the 2025 F1 Academy Season.
Known for its mix of long straights and tight chicanes, the circuit demands both engine power and sharp braking skills, featuring iconic corners such as L’Épingle and the legendary Turns 13-14.
Its stop-and-start nature makes it particularly tough on brakes, requiring a high level of precision. Add to that the typically unpredictable Canadian weather in June—with frequent rain and sudden storms—and race strategies may be seriously tested.
For the F1 Academy drivers, who are tackling this demanding track for the first time, both technical skill and adaptability will be key to success.
Organizers have not yet announced the Wild Card Driver for the Canadian round, but anticipation is building. With the standings tight between Weug, Pin, and Chambers, Montreal could prove to be a turning point for many. Unstable weather may shake things up, rewarding those who adapt quickly. In a historic debut weekend for F1 Academy in Montreal in 2025, unpredictability is the only certainty.
Feature Image: Red Bull Content Pool
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