The 2026 F1 Academy season will begin with the first round in Shanghai, China, from 13-15 March.

The all-female racing series will feature as a support race to the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix and will comprise a 40-minute practice session followed by a 30-minute qualifying on Friday. Saturday and Sunday will host a race each day, both of which will be 13 laps.

Here is everything you need to know to follow the F1 Academy series in China live.

When is the 2026 F1 Academy round 1 in Shanghai?

Free practice

Local time: 09:10 - 09:50
GMT: 01:10 - 01:50
PST: 18:10 - 18:50 (Thursday, 12 March)
ET: 21:10 - 21:50 (Thursday, 12 March)
CET: 02:10 - 02:50

Qualifying

Local time: 14:10 - 14:40
GMT: 06:10 - 06:40
PST: 23:10 - 23:40 (Thursday, 12 March)
ET: 02:10 - 02:40
CET: 07:10 - 07:40

Race 1

Local time: 13:45 - 14:20
GMT: 05:45 - 06:20
PST: 22:45 - 23:20 (Friday, 13 March)
ET: 01:45 - 02:20
CET: 06:45 - 07:20

Race 2

Local time: 10:40 - 11:15
GMT: 02:40 - 03:15
PST: 19:40 - 20:15 (Saturday, 14 March)
ET: 22:40 - 23:15 (Saturday, 14 March)
CET: 03:40 - 04:15

Chloe Chambers, Campos Racing, Doriane Pin, PREMA Racing, Maya Weug, MP Motorsport in Parc Ferme

How to watch F1 Academy in Shanghai

Fans from all regions will be able to follow the 2026 F1 Academy season live on F1 TV and the official F1 Academy YouTube channel. For fans watching in the UK, Sky Sports F1 will be broadcasting the races live and for those watching in the US, it will be broadcast on Apple.

Full list of F1 Academy broadcasters

F1 Academy: 2026 teams and drivers

The 2026 F1 Academy will feature six teams, each comprising three drivers. Each Formula 1 team supports at least one driver, and the remaining drivers are supported by key sponsors of the series.

Prema Racing

Mathilda Paatz - Supported by Aston Martin
Payton Westcott - Supported by Mercedes
Natalia Granada - Supported by SEPHORA

Campos Racing

Megan Bruce - Supported by TAG Heuer
Rafaela Ferreira - Supported by Racing Bulls
Alisha Palmowski - Supported by Red Bull

MP Motorsport

Nina Gademan - Supported by Alpine
Alba Larsen - Supported by Ferrari
Esmee Kosterman - Supported by LEGO

Rodin Motorsport

Emma Felbermayr - Supported by Audi
Ella Lloyd - Supported by McLaren
Ella Stevens - Supported by McLaren Oxagon

ART Grand Prix

Lisa Billard - Supported by Gatorade
Kaylee Countryman - Supported by Haas
Jade Jacquet - Supported by Williams

Hitech

Wei Shi (Wildcard) - Supported by Juss Sports
Ava Dobson - Supported by American Express
Rachel Robertson - Supported by Puma

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F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff has revealed how society has changed since she was racing as the all-female racing series heads into its fourth season.

Wolff began karting at the age of eight before moving to Formula Renault, Formula 3 and DTM. From 2012 to 2015, Wolff served initially as a development driver and later as a test driver for the Williams Formula 1 team, taking part in practice sessions, becoming the first woman since 1992 to take part in an F1 race weekend.

Wolff retired from F1 at the end of 2015 and moved into management roles in Formula E and F1 Academy.

“Society has changed,” Wolff told F1 Academy. “When my son races against a girl, it’s not unusual. It’s not a statement, she’s simply another competitor. That mindset shift matters.”

The 43-year-old admitted that the lack of young girls coming through karting was an initial concern for her, but it is no longer a problem.

“That kept me up at night at the beginning — would there be enough young drivers?” she said. “That’s no longer the worry. At kart tracks, I've never seen so many young women racing. I think the creation of role models and the inspiration for the next generation is now increasing our talent pool and is fundamental to the long-term success of F1 ACADEMY.

“Many young drivers are now connected to F1 Junior Academies earlier in their careers. They have the opportunity from a much younger age to get all of the help and support they need to progress in the sport.

Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy

“Crucially, there is now a visible destination. There's a defined route - perform in karting, progress to F1 ACADEMY. Deliver there, and the pathway continues. That clarity didn’t exist before.”

She added: “The opportunity is there, but performance decides. We will always take the best talent globally and aim to have the 18 best drivers at any one time in F1 ACADEMY.”

The 2026 F1 Academy season kicks off with round 1 in Shanghai this weekend, 13-15 March.

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