Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE 2026 RACE WEEKEND FORMAT?
FRIDAY Up to two Free Practice sessions (Up to 40 minutes each) One Qualifying session (30 minutes) - if one Free Practice session is held on Friday
SATURDAY One Qualifying session (30 minutes) - if two Free Practice sessions are held on Friday Opening Race (Up to 30 minutes) - only at Montreal and Austin in 2026 Reverse Grid Race (Up to 30 minutes)
SUNDAY Feature Race (Up to 30 minutes)
A schedule will be issued in the lead-up to every round to determine timings of each session.
HOW ARE THE STARTING GRIDS DECIDED?
Opening Race - The grid is set by the drivers' second fastest time from the Qualifying session.
Reverse Grid Race – The grid is set by reversing the top eight drivers from the Qualifying session results.
Feature Race – The grid is set by the results of the final classification of the Qualifying session.
HOW MANY POINTS ARE ALLOCATED FOR POLE POSITION?
Two points will be awarded to the driver that is shown on pole position on the final grid for the Feature Race.
If the driver who set the quickest laptime in Qualifying receives a grid penalty for the Feature Race, she will not be awarded the pole position points. As a result, the second-fastest qualifier (or lower if the drivers ahead also have penalties) will be promoted to pole and credited with the two points, even though she did not set the quickest time in Qualifying.
DOES THE DRIVER STARTING FROM REVERSE GRID POLE IN THE OPENING RACE OR REVERSE GRID RACE ALSO RECEIVE TWO POINTS?
No, only the driver who is shown in pole position on the final grid for Race 2 receives two points.
HOW MANY POINTS CAN DRIVERS SCORE IN EACH RACE?
In the Reverse Grid Race, points are awarded to the top eight drivers with the winner scoring 10 points, down to 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point for P8.
More points are on offer in the Opening Race and Feature Race, with the winner earning 25 points. Second place takes 18, 15 for third, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 point for the 10th-placed driver.
DOES F1 ACADEMY HAVE FASTEST LAP POINTS AND WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SCORE THEM?
Yes, one point is up for grabs in each race. In the Reverse Grid Race, a point will be awarded to the driver who achieves the fastest lap time, as long as she finishes in the top eight in the final classification. In the Opening Race and Feature Race, the additional point will be awarded to the driver who achieves the fastest lap time, as long as she finishes in the top 10 in the final classification.
No point will be awarded to the driver who achieved the fastest lap but is not within the applicable top eight or 10 classified drivers in the final classification, or if the leader has completed less than 50% of the scheduled race distance.
CAN POINTS STILL BE AWARDED IF A RACE IS SHORTENED OR SUSPENDED?
If a race is shortened or suspended, no points will be awarded if the leader has completed less than two laps. Additionally, no points will be awarded unless a minimum of two laps have been completed by the leader without a Safety Car intervention.
If the full-race distance is not met, points will be awarded as follows:
- The leader has completed two laps or more but less than 25% of the scheduled race distance – Column 1.
- The leader has completed 25% but less than 50% of the scheduled race distance – Column 2.
- The leader has completed 50% but less than 75% of the scheduled race distance – Column 3.
- If the leader has completed 75% or more of the scheduled race distance, full points will be awarded.
| Position | Reverse Grid Race Points - Column 1 | Opening Race and Feature Race Points - Column 1 | Reverse Grid Race Points - Column 2 | Opening Race and Feature Race Points - Column 2 | Reverse Grid Race Points - Column 3 | Opening Race and Feature Race Points - Column 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 8 | 19 |
| 2nd | 2 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 14 |
| 3rd | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 12 |
| 4th | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 10 | |
| 5th | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 8 | |
| 6th | 4 | 3 | 6 | |||
| 7th | 3 | 2 | 4 | |||
| 8th | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| 9th | 1 | 2 | ||||
| 10th | 1 |
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF POINTS A DRIVER CAN SCORE ACROSS A RACE WEEKEND?
39 points in a two-race weekend and 65 points in a three-race weekend.
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF POINTS A TEAM CAN SCORE ACROSS A RACE WEEKEND?
86 points in a two-race weekend and 145 points in a three-race weekend.
WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM AGES TO COMPETE IN F1 ACADEMY?
All drivers must be women aged 25 years or younger, and 16 years of age or older when entering their first race event of the season.
WHAT GRADE LICENCE IS NEEDED TO RACE IN F1 ACADEMY?
Grade B, C or D International Circuit FIA Licence.
HOW MANY SEASONS CAN A DRIVER COMPETE IN?
Drivers may only compete in two seasons of the series. A driver will be considered to have participated in a season if she competes in two or more rounds, including any appearance she may make as a Wild Card Driver.
From 2027, drivers who have competed in the two previous seasons may be granted an exemption to race in the series for a third season. This will be granted exclusively to drivers whose performance indicates strong potential for continued growth throughout a third campaign.
Additionally, any F1 ACADEMY Drivers’ Champions may not participate in any further seasons of the series.
WHERE CAN WE WATCH F1 ACADEMY?
Fans across all regions can stream Qualifying and the Races from all seven rounds live on F1 ACADEMY's YouTube and X channels and via F1 TV.
A complete list of our broadcasters can be found HERE.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE TIMETABLE?
Timetables can be found on the Calendar & Results page under their respective rounds.