F1 Academy China 2026: Everything Ferrari Fans Need to Know
Will Alba Larsen secure a Shanghai podium? Explore the F1 Academy China session times, where to watch, and the Ferrari Academy drivers.
The 2026 F1 Academy season gets underway on 13th March 2026 in Shanghai China, with over ten female drivers competing in the opening race of the season at Shanghai International Circuit. Each driver will take part in a free practice session, qualifying, race 1 and race 2. The F1 Academy rules state that the first race of the weekend must start in reverse grid order based on the qualifying results, which promotes a more action-backed race and challenges the driver’s overtaking skills. However, race 2 starts in the standard grid order with the pole sitter from qualifying starting at the front of the grid.
Who Is Representing Ferrari In F1 Academy?
The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy has just one representative on the 2026 F1 Academy grid, with Alba Hurup Larsen flying the flag for the Prancing Horse this season. Larsen isn’t the most experienced driver on the grid, starting karting at the rather late age of 14. However, the 17-year-old has learnt her trade fast, climbing the Formula 4 ranks in both the F4 British Championship and F1 Academy. Despite Larsen driving for MP Motorsport in F1 Academy last season, this will be her first full year as a fully backed Ferrari Academy driver.
See Alba Larsen's F1 Academy China results below:
- Free Practice: 2nd (2:05.017)
- Qualifying: 2nd (2:04.585)
- Race 1: Coming soon
- Race 2: Coming soon
Read the full story of Alba Larsen’s rise to the Ferrari Driver Academy here.
When Does F1 Academy China Start?
The F1 Academy’s first race of the 2026 season takes place in China, and starts on March 13th. There are four sessions that the F1 Academy drivers will take part in, starting with practice and ending with race 2. Free practice lasts 40 minutes, and they will have 30 minutes to set their fastest time in qualifying. Both race 1 and race 2 will run for 35 minutes, but yellow or red flags may affect the number of laps, depending on how clean the races are in China.
- Free Practice: Friday at 09:10-09:50
- Qualifying: Friday at 14:05-14:35
- Race 1: Saturday at 13:45-14:20
- Race 2: Sunday at 10:40-11:15
*All times are local track time (China Standard Time).
Where To Watch F1 Academy China
Given the diverse number of countries represented on the 2026 F1 Academy grid, there are plenty of ways to watch the races around the world. Below you can find all the broadcasters and streams for the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Scandinavia:
Who Is The F1 Academy China Wildcard Driver?
Throughout the F1 Academy season, it’s not unusual to see a wildcard driver on the grid. The first wildcard of the 2026 F1 Academy season is Shi Wei, who is returning for the second time. The Chinese driver has plenty of Formula 4 experience, and will surely be looking to impress in front of her home crowd. Last season, Shi Wei’s best finish during both races in China was 14th, with the Chinese driver failing to finish the opening race of the weekend in 2025.
Read my full Alba Hurup Larsen 2026 F1 Academy China preview here.
