F1 Academy announces change to starting grids for 2025 season

More changes are coming to the F1 Academy for the 2025 season.

The all-female series begins its third season at the Chinese Grand Prix next month, and already the grid has expanded to 18 cars for the 2025 campaign. While the composition of each race weekend remains the same for F1 Academy this year — up to two practices, one qualifying session, and two races — the starting grid for Race 1 will be changed this year.

Starting this season, Race 1 will be a “reverse grid” race. According to F1 Academy “[t]he grid for Race 1 will be set by reversing the top eight drivers from the Qualifying classification. All other drivers will start where they qualify.”

Therefore, the driver who finishes first in qualifying will start eighth in Race 1, while the driver who finishes eighth will start at the front.

Furthermore, points will be awarded to the top eight drivers in Race 1, with a bonus point awarded to the driver who “achieves the fastest lap time within the top eight finishers.”

The format and points allocation for Race 2 remains unchanged this season. The grid will be set by the drivers’ fastest laps in qualifying, and points will be awarded to the top ten drivers, as well as one point for the driver with the fastest lap in the top ten, and two points for the driver who starts in P1.

“The return of the reverse grid in 2025 promises exciting racing with even more overtakes,” said Delphine Biscayne, F1 Academy Competition Manager. “The change will also challenge and develop our drivers’ race craft and prepare them to progress up the motorsport ladder, where reverse grids are a mainstay in the weekend format.

“Reverse grids are a fantastic chance for drivers who often qualify P5 - P8 to demonstrate their ability to race at the front, and a podium or race win can be just what it takes to unlock their full confidence and potential.”

The 2025 F1 Academy season begins next month at the Chinese Grand Prix.