While Formula 1 opted against replacing two Grand Prix events initially scheduled for April in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, subsequently reducing its 2024 season from 24 to 22 races due to ongoing geopolitical events, the F1 Academy has adopted a different strategy. Instead of simply canceling the Saudi Arabian round, the all-female racing series has proactively expanded its calendar by integrating new events in North America.
The iconic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, is now set to host the second round of the F1 Academy season in May. Later in the year, Austin, Texas, will serve as the venue for the fifth stop in October. Both the Canadian and U.S. additions will feature a dynamic three-race format, commencing with an opening race that also functions as a qualifying session to determine the grid for the subsequent contest.
This strategic decision successfully reinstates the F1 Academy’s 2024 schedule to a total of 14 races across six rounds, spanning five different countries. Launched in 2023, the F1 Academy is dedicated to promoting female talent in motorsport, providing a competitive platform for drivers aged 16 to 25.