F1 Academy Preview: Singapore

Meghana Sree
9 hours ago
4 min read

F1 Academy returns to the floodlit streets of Singapore with a three-way title battle to resume. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of one of the most demanding races of the season, including championship news, a recap of Navarra’s in-season testing and the latest headlines from the F1 Academy paddock.

F1 Academy Singapore — F1 Academy returns to a second weekend in Singapore following a thrilling 2024 debut | Credit: F1 Academy

Though there’s been a month’s time between the previous outing at Zandvoort and the upcoming Singapore weekend, the F1 Academy grid has been busy gearing up for the penultimate event of the 2026 season with a third round of in-season testing, this time at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain.

All eyes will now be on the first of the final two race weekends this year, as the grid reconvenes at Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit to continue the championship battles.

Key Stories

With just two rounds to go, the stakes have never been higher for Drivers’ Championship contenders Doriane Pin, Maya Weug and Chloe Chambers.

With all three drivers having had their fair share of both trials and triumphs this season, a clean weekend is paramount if they wish to stay in the title fight. Just 20 points separate championship leader Pin from second-placed Weug, Chambers a further 14 points behind.

Needless to say, Pin will be watching out for Weug who will be determined to carry forward her momentum from Zandvoort where she secured a win on home turf. Meanwhile, Chambers will hope to bounce back from a disheartening DNS at the last race.

With fine margins separating the top three, the title could well and truly go any way, and only consistent performances in Singapore will be the key to either drivers putting one hand on the trophy before the final showdown in Las Vegas.

The Wild Card Driver for this round was also revealed leading up to the race weekend, with Lisa Billard joining the grid, supported by Gatorade, who previously supported Mathilda Paatz in Montreal. Billard joins F1 Academy as the youngest ever Wild Card in the series' history, the French driver having just turned 16.

Another key story ahead of the Singapore round is British driver Megan Bruce stepping in for Aiva Anagnostiadis in the TAG Heuer car operated by Hitech TGR, following a fracture to Anagnostiadis’ left foot.

In other news, it was also recently announced that F1 Academy will partner with the popular media franchise Hello Kitty for the Las Vegas round, with arrangements for a bespoke merchandise collection, Hello Kitty Grandstands and interactive fan engagement spots planned for the event.

Just before being announced as the youngest F1 Academy Wild Card Driver, Lisa Billard had a successful outing during the F1 Academy Rookie Test in September | Credit: F1 Academy

Track Preview

The Marina Bay Street Circuit is notoriously one of the most demanding tracks on the Formula One calendar, and for the F1 Academy drivers, it will be no less challenging.

Comprising 23 corners and a high-speed, bumpy layout, a lap around the track is physically gruelling – especially given Singapore’s hot and humid climate. Add the walls out to punish even the slightest miscalculations, the Marina Bay Street Circuit truly is both a mental and physical test.

The 4.94km track is built into the heart of the city, and was the scene of Abbi Pulling’s clean-sweep weekend last year, which later carried her to the 2024 F1 Academy Drivers’ Championship. Pin, Weug and Chambers will no doubt be eager to replicate their former rival’s success around the streets of Singapore and inch closer to title success this weekend – if they can beat the heat first.

In-Season Testing Roundup

Shortly after Zandvoort, the F1 Academy grid took to the Circuito de Navarra in northern Spain for in-season testing, and were also joined by a fresh group of 18 rookie drivers to take part in F1 Academy’s first ever Rookie Test, in an effort to snag a seat next year.

The current grid had 18 hours of track time spread across two days, from 16th to 17th September. Weug set the pace on the opening day, with the fastest lap time in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Day 2 saw rising rookie Ella Lloyd sweep both sessions, with Weug close behind in the morning session and Pin taking Weug’s place for the afternoon run, rounding out the productive testing periods.

The Championships

The fight for the Drivers’ Championship has never been more dramatic in F1 Academy history, with three drivers having genuine opportunities to snatch the title this year.

Following an off-colour weekend in Montreal, Weug rapidly bounced back for her home round in Zandvoort to deliver a hard-fought podium and clinical Race 2 victory – taking her back to second in the standings.

Chambers meanwhile struggled to make ground in Race 1 and suffered a DNS in Race 2, while Pin too had a rocky weekend but managed a promotion to the podium in Race 2 following a penalty for Lloyd.

So far, the trend has the three drivers going back and forth with dominant weekends. While Weug faltered, Pin and Chambers rose to the occasion and vice versa.

But with the number of rounds on the calendar running out, consistency will be heavily rewarded come Las Vegas. Singapore will be a teaser of the grand finale, as time ticks down until we crown this year’s champion.

Doriane Pin has a chance to secure the title in Singapore should her rivals falter | Credit: F1 Academy

The Teams’ Championship is just as gripping, with PREMA Racing enjoying a healthy lead with 224 points, 45 points ahead of second-placed Campos racing.

While intent on securing a historic third consecutive Teams’ title, PREMA will have to watch out for the promising results that Campos have enjoyed in the hands of Chambers and rookie teammate Alisha Palmowski.

With four races to see through this year, both titles remain separated by incredibly fine margins, and Singapore will indubitably give us a clearer picture of the title victors for the 2025 season.