F1 ACADEMY calendar revealed – find out where Mathilda Paatz is racing in 2026

The ultra-competitive, all-female F1 ACADEMY series has revealed its calendar for the 2026 season, with seven rounds across six different countries. Read on to discover where our new F1 ACADEMY driver Mathilda Paatz will be racing.

The fourth year of the one-make championship will again consist of 14 races across the seven rounds, and will maintain the reverse grid format for one race at each event.

2026 kicks off, as it did this year, at Shanghai International Circuit in China in March. From there, the series winds its way across the globe, shadowing the Formula One calendar and acting as part of the support billing at Grand Prix weekends.

After China, F1 ACADEMY pitches up in Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit in April, before heading across the Atlantic and to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal, Canada for the first of three rounds to take place in North America next year.

The European leg of the 2026 season comprises trips to Silverstone, as the series makes its British Grand Prix weekend debut, and the Dutch dunes of Zandvoort, before it's back over the Atlantic and this time to the United States for the final two rounds of the year in Austin, at the Circuit of the Americas, and then Las Vegas for a spectacular finale.

The calendar will also be supported by a comprehensive 12-day testing program as part of the series' commitment to offering extensive seat time to drivers.

2026 F1 ACADEMY calendar

13-15 Mar

Shanghai, China

17-19 Apr

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

22-24 May

Montréal, Canada

3-5 Jul

Silverstone, United Kingdom

21-23 Aug

Zandvoort, Netherlands

23-25 Oct

Austin, United States

19-21 Nov

Las Vegas, United States

2026 marks the first season in the championship for the newest member of our Driver Academy, Mathilda Paatz, who will be driving in an Aston Martin Aramco-liveried PREMA Racing car.

From Cologne, Germany, the 17-year-old has impressed with her speed and competitiveness in karting and single-seater racing. She has also featured in F1 ACADEMY already, making a wildcard appearance at the Canadian round earlier this year.

Reacting to the calendar, two venues especially caught her eye for 2026:

"I can't wait to race at all the tracks next year, but Zandvoort is one I'm particularly excited about because it's close to my home. Most of my friends and family will come to watch me race there.

"I'm also looking forward to the final round in Las Vegas because it's such an iconic location and it looks amazing."

From the slopes to the circuit

Meet Mathilda

Looking up to Michael Schumacher, listening to classical music before lights out, and losing a suitcase on her way to the AMR Technology Campus. Get to know the latest addition to our Driver Academy.

READ THE FIRST INTERVIEW

Shaping the next generation

Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy

From karting to single-seaters, the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team Driver Academy is dedicated to identifying and developing the next generation of exceptional motorsport talent.

The Academy provides a clear path to the top tiers of racing through tailored racecraft mentorship, simulator work, physical training, media coaching and race weekend immersion.

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