Singapore Preview: What to Watch Ahead of Round 6 of F1 Academy

F1 Academy in Singapore

After a month-long break since Zandvoort, F1 Academy returns for the penultimate round of the 2025 season at the iconic Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. With soaring temperatures, night racing and the championship fight heating up, fans are in for a dramatic weekend.

TITLE BATTLE INTENSIFIES

With ten races completed and only four to go, the championship fight has narrowed. Doriane Pin (Mercedes) leads by 20 points over Maya Weug (Ferrari), while Chloe Chambers (Red Bull Ford) remains in contention despite setbacks in Zandvoort. Mathematically, Ella Lloyd, Alisha Palmowski and Nina Gademan are still in the mix but are increasingly focused on the rookie title fight.

Pin has a chance to seal the championship early: if she extends her lead to 40 points by the end of the weekend, she will secure the 2025 crown with one round to spare. Still, Weug arrives with momentum after her commanding win in the Netherlands, while Chambers has proven to be a Qualifying specialist, taking three consecutive pole positions this season.

BLOCK CHASING FIRST WIN

Fresh off her maiden podium at Zandvoort, Lia Block (Williams) comes to Singapore full of confidence. Marina Bay was the highlight of her rookie campaign last year, where she scored two P4 finishes. Now, Block hopes to turn past success into a breakthrough victory, aiming to become the eighth different winner of the season.

PREMA ON COURSE FOR THE TRIPLE

Reigning double champions PREMA Racing arrive on a high after Gademan’s maiden win, Pin’s podium and Hausmann’s top-five finish in Zandvoort. Holding a 45-point advantage over Campos Racing, the Italian squad could all but secure their third consecutive Teams’ title with another strong result this weekend.

However, there are still challenges: Hausmann lost a potential podium in the Netherlands due to a crash, and Pin lacked the pace to fight directly for victory. Campos and Rodin will be pushing to disrupt PREMA’s rhythm.

ROOKIES AND NEW FACES

The Singapore round will also see changes on the grid. Megan Bruce, a 20-year-old Brit and standout from the Rookie Test, replaces Aiva Anagnostiadis (TAG Heuer/Hitech TGR), who is sidelined with a foot injury. Bruce will get just a single 40-minute Free Practice session to learn the demanding 4.94km circuit before Qualifying under the lights.

Another debut comes from Lisa Billard, freshly turned 16, who enters as the event’s Wild Card driver with support from Gatorade. She becomes the youngest ever F1 Academy competitor, driving the #60 with a special anniversary livery celebrating Gatorade’s 60th year. The partnership continues to expand pathways for young female talent, building on successful Wild Card entries last season.

ALL EYES ON MARINA BAY

With the championship fight on the line, the prospect of a first-time winner, PREMA chasing a third straight title and rookies looking to make their mark, the Singapore round of F1 Academy promises to be one of the most thrilling weekends of the season.

Written by Luiza Sato