F1 Academy - Montreal

The F1 Academy makes its debut at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal in 2025, marking a significant addition to the prestigious Canadian Grand Prix weekend. This inaugural F1 Academy race brings female racing talent to the 4.361 km circuit known for its challenging layout. The Montreal track features 14 turns, including the famous final chicane with the "Wall of Champions," a spot that has caught many skilled drivers over the years.

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve sits on Île Notre-Dame, a man-made island in the St. Lawrence River. The track combines fast straights with tight chicanes, creating perfect opportunities for overtaking and close racing. Drivers face a technical challenge with approximately 76% of the lap at full throttle and around 52 gear changes per lap.

F1 Academy teams competing in Montreal include ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, MP Motorsport, PREMA Racing, Rodin Motorsport, and Hitech Grand Prix. The grid features 18 drivers with each Formula 1 team supporting one competitor. The Hitech Grand Prix wild card entry allows regional talent to join the competition at each race weekend.

All teams use identical Tatuus F4-T421 chassis powered by 165 hp turbocharged engines from Autotecnica, with Pirelli supplying the tires. This spec series format ensures racing focuses on driver skill rather than technical advantages.

The Montreal circuit has hosted Formula 1 since 1978 and was renamed to honor Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve after his death in 1982. The track offers spectacular views of the Montreal skyline and transforms from public roads outside of race weekends to a world-class racing venue.

F1 Academy races in Montreal follow a format with practice, qualifying, and two races. Race 1 uses a partial reverse grid for the top eight qualifiers, while Race 2 grid positions come directly from qualifying results. This format creates varied racing scenarios and gives drivers different strategic challenges throughout the weekend.

The addition of F1 Academy to the Montreal race weekend brings fresh energy to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and offers fans the chance to see the next generation of female racing talent compete on one of the most famous tracks in motorsport.