AtanariaThe F1 Academy made a spectacular statement in Canada this weekend, delivering intense wheel-to-wheel racing, emotional redemption, and shifting championship dynamics at the iconic Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
Race 1: Doriane Pin’s Clean Sweep Puts Her in Command
Mercedes driver Doriane Pin cemented her status as the championship favourite with a commanding victory in Race 1, her third win in just six races this season. Pin’s flawless racecraft was on full display as she navigated a chaotic start where title rival Chloe Chambers and her Red Bull Racing teammate Alisha Palmowski tangled at Turn 1. The collision not only took both Red Bull drivers out of early contention but also handed Pin the initiative.
Pin’s calm and composed drive saw her pull away from a charging Ella Lloyd, who stormed from seventh on the grid to claim second place for McLaren with a blend of patience and aggression. Meanwhile, Emma Felbermayr, driving for Kick Sauber, showcased maturity beyond her years by claiming her first career F1 Academy podium in third, edging out Alpine’s Nina Gademan in a tight battle.
The race wasn’t without incident—multiple Safety Car periods and a tense battle between Rafaela Ferreira and Chloe Chong ended in contact, resulting in a grid penalty for Ferreira for the following race. The opening race set the tone for an action-packed weekend and tightened the championship standings, with Pin overtaking the lead by a narrow margin.
Race 2: Felbermayr’s Valiant Bounce-Back
The drama intensified in Race 2 as Emma Felbermayr delivered a masterclass in resilience and racecraft. Just hours after her heartbreaking disqualification from Race 1 due to her car being underweight, Felbermayr powered through the pack from a mid-grid start on the reverse grid to claim her maiden victory in the F1 Academy.
Nina Gademan appeared poised for a breakthrough win, holding the lead comfortably for much of the race. However, a late Safety Car deployment bunched the field together, eroding Gademan’s advantage and leaving her vulnerable. Felbermayr seized the moment on the restart, executing a daring move on the Dutch driver at Turn 9 and then holding off challenges to cross the line first by mere tenths of a second.
Ella Lloyd’s consistent pace earned her second place, securing a Rodin Motorsport one-two finish and underscoring the team’s growing strength this season. Meanwhile, Gademan had to settle for third despite an impressive drive, rounding out an all-rookie podium that promises an exciting new wave of talent rising through the ranks.
The race was punctuated by fierce battles through the midfield, black and white flags for track limit infringements, and strategic overtakes, highlighting how competitive and unpredictable the F1 Academy field has become. Championship leader Doriane Pin also showed her mettle, recovering from a challenging weekend to finish fourth, maintaining her slim points advantage.
Battling intense pressure in a stop-start race, Chambers overcame adversity to claim a vital win, keeping her championship hopes firmly alive. Her performance underscored the depth of competition in the series and the fine margins that separate the frontrunners.
While detailed specifics of the final race are limited, Chambers’ comeback from early setbacks and her ability to manage pressure under challenging race conditions will surely be a defining moment as the championship battle heads into the second half of the season.
Insights and Championship Implications
The Montreal weekend was a microcosm of the 2025 F1 Academy season — fierce, unpredictable, and full of emerging talent. Doriane Pin’s consistency and racecraft have propelled her to the top of the standings, now holding a 24-point lead. However, Emma Felbermayr’s spectacular recovery in Race 2 and Chloe Chambers’ gritty Race 3 win illustrate that the title fight is far from decided.
Felbermayr’s weekend encapsulates the highs and lows of motorsport: from disqualification heartbreak to the joy of a maiden victory. Her ability to keep composure under pressure bodes well for her development as a championship contender.
The presence of rookies like Nina Gademan and Ella Lloyd on the podium highlights the depth of talent within the academy. Their performances promise a highly competitive second half of the season, where every point will count.
Looking Ahead
With the series officially confirmed to race at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve through 2028, the Canadian GP has quickly become a cornerstone event for F1 Academy, thrilling fans with its blend of high-speed action and emerging female talent.
As the championship heads towards the final rounds, drivers will need to balance aggression with precision to capitalize on opportunities. The mix of experienced frontrunners and hungry rookies ensures that fans can expect even more edge-of-the-seat racing in the coming months.
