F1 Academy, the new Formula 4-spec series set up by Formula 1 exclusively for female drivers, has unveiled its calendar and event format for its inuaugral season.
There will be one pre-season test at Barcelona on April 11/12, with the series’ teams staying at the track for a further two days for an in-season Formula 2 and Formula 3 test, then the first ever F1 Academy races will take place at the Red Bull Ring on April 28/29. Currently no other series are announced to race at the Austrian track on those days.
The series will then support EuroNASCAR at Valencia on May 5-7, share a paddock with the Formula Regional European Championship at Barcelona on May 19-21 and be on the support bill of the DTM at Zandvoort on June 23-25.
July consists of a World Endurance Championship-supporting trip to Monza (July 7-9) and then a standalone date at Paul Ricard (July 29/30) as no other racing series are presently scheduled to visit the French track that weekend.
There is then a break of 81 days before the final round at Circuit of the Americas, which will support F1’s United States Grand Prix. During the season there will be 13 test days, but the dates and locations of those are yet to be announced.
“Our goal was to be able to race on as many F1 grand prix tracks as possible, with circuits that could be a great challenge for the drivers,” said series manager Bruno Michel.
“The teams know these layouts very well, so they will be able to help their young talents get to grips quickly. We had announced that F1 Academy would be racing alongside F1 at one event, so it’s fantastic to be part of the grand prix package in Austin, where we will also conclude the first season, in front of the F1 paddock and the American crowd.
“There is quite a gap in between Rounds 6 and 7, but that is mainly due to the fact that we will be sending the cars and equipment by ship, to save on logistical costs.”
Each round will consist of two 40-minute practice sessions, two 15-minute qualifying sessions and three races.
Q1 will set the grid for the half-hour first race, with the top eight from that qualifying session then reversed to form the front of the grid for the 20-minute race two. The order at the end of Q2 will set the grid for the half-hour race three.
The first and third races will use the standard FIA points system for finishing positions, and the reversed-grid race will deliver points to the top eight finishers on a 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Each pole position earns a driver two point, and a point for fastest lap is awarded in each race if the holder of it finishes inside the top 10 of the 15-car field.