Lisa Billard is ambitious ahead of Montreal: "I wouldn't say no to a podium finish!"

In parallel with the return of the Formula 1 This weekend in Montreal, the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit will also host the F2 as well as the F1 Academy. Having only completed one race weekend in China at the start of the season, the 18 drivers on the women's grid have already established a hierarchy, with Emma Felbermyr currently leading the pack. The French drivers Lisa Billard and Jade Jacquet are slightly behind at the moment, but are preparing their return to competition.

Both present at Nogaro at the beginning of the year, then at Dijon, the weekend of May 15 to 17 on the grid of the F4 France as guests, the two drivers were able to work alongside the FFSA Academy, but also within the premises of ART Grand Prix before this new round.

“It’s great to be back where I started! This is where I learned everything last year, and it’s what allowed me to make it through to the F1 Academy. It also lets me work on what I need to focus on.” Lisa Billard raises awareness in our microphone. Plus, we have the next race this week in Montreal, so it's a good opportunity!

Elbow your way to success and take flight in Montreal

The two things that had hurt Lisa Billard the most in Shanghai were the quality of her starts when the lights went out, and the level of aggression behind the wheel which was sometimes below the grid average. “I worked on my race aggression at Nogaro. The same was true at Dijon. We did simulator work… I’d say we’re ready! We can’t wait to start racing there. Last weekend at Dijon, we were able to work on my starts in particular,” she explains"I managed two good starts out of two, which was my biggest weakness in the F1 Academy, so I'm eager to see how it goes back in the car this weekend."

Having the pace to get to the front of the peloton, the rider who had mainly had to make up for lost time at the start is now aiming for a more consistent result on the Gilles-Villeneuve course. "I think we can already aim for the next top 5 in the race, then quickly get closer to the podiums as the year progresses, but I wouldn't say no to a podium finish as early as Montreal!"

The one who wears the colors of Gatorade in F1 Academy will also wear the colors of the French team, as will her teammate Jade Jacquet, as well as the FREC drivers Alexandre Munoz and Jules Roussel this weekend, in Zandvoort. “We’ve known for a while now, but it’s definitely a good thing. This is the second time I’ve been selected for the French national team.” she reminds us. I had already been part of the team in karting"It's a source of pride. We're all incredibly happy to represent our colors at the highest level."

Does this give her even more motivation to perform on Notre-Dame Island?