Montreal, May 20, 2026 – Polytechnique Montréal’s partnership with Bell GPCanada, initiated in 2025, expands this year with several new activities on the program. Once again, 22 young campers from Polytechnique Montréal’s Folie Technique science camp will be on the starting grid for the Formula 1 Lenovo Grand Prix du Canada 2026, to be held in Montreal on May 22-24, 2026. In addition, 12 female Polytechnique students from various engineering disciplines will take part in the F1 Academy¸ which works to raise the profile of women in motor racing. Polytechnique Montréal is excited and proud to continue its partnership with the major sporting and cultural event that is the Formula 1 Lenovo Grand Prix du Canada. 

22 Grid Kids from Folie Technique on the starting grid  

As in 2025, 22 campers from Polytechnique Montréal’s Folie Technique science camp will be on the starting grid of the Formula 1 Lenovo Grand Prix du Canada 2026, alongside the drivers, before the start on Sunday, May 24. Each youngster will have a chance to stand on the track at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Île Notre-Dame in Montreal and rub shoulders with drivers such as Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Canadian Lance Stroll.  

Folie Technique campers are young Quebecers with a keen interest in science in all its forms. Accompanied by mentors, they will have special access to the paddocks before the festivities and will watch the event from the stands with their parents. An extraordinary experience awaits these future motorsport professionals at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. 

12 women engineering students participate in F1 Academy  

This year, once again, no fewer than 12 female students from various engineering disciplines at Polytechnique Montréal will participate in the F1 Academy. This visit to the F1 Academy paddocks is organized by the “Anne Roy Initiative for Equity in Motorsports”. The female engineering students from various Montreal universities will meet with several F1 Academy drivers, followed by a discussion with the Series staff to gain an exclusive insight into the technologies, careers, and professional opportunities available in this industry for women seeking to build a career there. It’s worth noting that the F1 Academy is a single-seater young female drivers only championship, designed to help them climb the ranks of motorsports. The program aims to provide hands-on track experience and increase visibility for women in motorsports, helping them pave their way to the highest levels of this industry: Formula 1. 

“The presence of Folie Technique campers and the involvement of our students in the F1 Academy will let a new generation discover a fast-changing industry,” said Maud Cohen, President of Polytechnique Montréal. “These are the young people and female engineers of the future who will continue the transition to more sustainable and innovative mobility, which is already well underway. We want to encourage the next generation to be part of the big changes that will shape their future.”  

Jean-Philippe Paradis, President and CEO of Bell GPCanada, added: “Formula 1 represents the pinnacle of motorsport and innovation. By opening the doors of the circuit to young scientists from Folie Technique and female engineering students from Polytechnique Montréal, we are helping to shape a global industry that underscores the role of diverse, local and daring young people to propel a resolutely sustainable vision.” 

About Folie Technique 

Folie Technique is a non-profit organization established in 1991 at the initiative of engineering students at Polytechnique Montréal. Since its creation more than 30 years ago, over 270,000 young people have taken part in its activities. Folie Technique now focuses on science outreach and activities such as a science summer camp and science workshops. Every year, thousands of young people discover science through these programs.  

Folie Technique is a day camp certified by the Association des camps du Québec (ACQ) and a member of Actüa. See its website for more information. 

About Bell GPCanada 

Bell GPCanada, based in Montréal, is the official promoter of the Formula 1 Lenovo Grand Prix du Canada under an agreement with Formula One Administration Limited and Formula 1 World Championship Limited.

About Polytechnique Montréal  

Founded in 1873, Polytechnique Montréal is one of Canada’s largest engineering education and research institutions, and the Quebec benchmark for engineering research. Polytechnique offers about 120 programs taught by nearly 300 professors, and welcomes more than 13,000 students yearly. Its cutting-edge training programs and research activities address contemporary challenges and make an important contribution to the development of innovative solutions for a better, more sustainable future. Polytechnique’s total annual budget is $235 million, including a research budget of $102 million. 

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Media enquiries about Polytechnique Montréal 

Christian Merciari  
Communications Department 
Polytechnique Montréal
Cell: 514-742-8586
christian.merciari@polymtl.ca  

Media enquiries about the Formula 1 Lenovo Grand Prix du Canada 

Philip Vanden Brande  
Formula 1 Lenovo Grand Prix du Canada 
438-402-7391 
phil@annexe.media