Abbi Pulling is celebrating her second-place finish on the podium in Jeddah. She has returned for her second season in the F1 Academy, and she is excited about her future ambitions with the academy. The first season was a success, with Marta Garcia becoming the champion and earning a fully-funded seat in FRECA for 2024. This season, Pulling is determined to win races, and she has already achieved one victory. In Race 2, she inherited the win after Doriane Pin received a penalty. Pulling is thrilled with her performance and is focused on leading the championship. She admits to putting pressure on herself in the past but aims to enjoy the season and improve her performance.
F1 Academy returns with a much larger scale than its inaugural season, now featured on the Formula 1 support bill, attracting the attention of millions.
“This season is definitely different from the last. There are more people watching, lots of statistics and conversations. Last year, we had standalone races with only a few spectators. It’s refreshing to see the change in the paddock, being right in front of the fan zone where everyone wants to take photos,” she expressed.
Continuing her second year in F1 Academy with Rodin Motorsport, Pulling shared that she has become a part of their close-knit community.
“They are a highly intelligent group, and I have gained a wealth of knowledge from them. They have shared their extensive experience with me, which has greatly improved my skills as a driver. I have eagerly awaited the opportunity to race again, ever since COTA last year.”
Unlike Formula 1, F1 Academy imposes a two-year limit on its drivers, with an age requirement between 16 and 25 years old.
As she enters her second season in the series, Pulling has much to consider regarding her next steps.
“My intention was never to remain in this championship indefinitely. My goal is to reach Formula 1, but even competing in Formula 3 would be an absolute dream. There are numerous potential paths to explore, and you never know where you might end up. Nothing is set in stone yet, but hopefully, my on-track performance will secure a promising opportunity for next year.”
Securing a race victory is an achievement in itself, but on a challenging track like Jeddah, it becomes an even greater accomplishment.
Pulling elaborated, “When racing on a track like Jeddah, there is absolutely no room for error. The margins are extremely narrow, and you learn a great deal on this circuit. It feels as if you are driving through a tunnel.”
During the Jeddah race weekend, half of the F1 Academy grid either received penalties for exceeding track limits or spun off the track, making the first race of the season a surprising experience.
“While Jeddah is a street circuit, cars do not race on it throughout the year,” Pulling remarked. “I have always expressed my desire to drive on that track for the rest of my life. It is incredibly enjoyable. The high-risk, high-reward aspect is significant.”
She also mentioned Singapore as the track she is most excited about, stating, “It is a street circuit, but it doesn’t quite fit the typical definition. The track is incredibly bumpy, not specifically designed for racing, and it tends to be quite slippery.”
This season, every Formula 1 team is obligated to select an F1 Academy driver and showcase their livery on the car to raise awareness about the all-female feeder series.
For Abbi Pulling, this is not a new experience. The 20-year-old British driver joined the Alpine Academy in 2023 after a promising 2022 season in W Series.
Joining the inaugural F1 Academy grid as a Junior Driver had its advantages. Pulling achieved seven podium finishes in the 2023 season.
“It has definitely been beneficial to be part of the Alpine Academy for a couple of years. I am now accustomed to the pressure. They have supported me greatly as I moved up the ranks, and I hope to continue improving. It truly feels like a family, they are friendly and supportive, and it is advantageous to be on the track together.
“Perhaps some of the newcomers might be feeling more pressure as they are just starting to be associated with the team. It is a significant role to have. We all strive to win, and now that there is more attention on us, everyone is more competitive.”
F1 Academy was created to promote the presence of female drivers in motorsport. Its return for a second season on a larger scale distinguishes it from other female racing series like W Series, which ceased operations due to a lack of support.
Pulling remains hopeful that F1 Academy will have a successful future. “It has the right people supporting it,” she said. “I believe it has a long-lasting future ahead. Hopefully, in the coming years, the series will produce a full-fledged F1 driver. If it is not me, then I hope it is one of the girls I am racing against.
“There are so many more opportunities now. I often wish I were eight years old again. Previously, I was winning championships, but I did not know much about the next step. Women only make up 1% of license holders, and with only 20 F1 drivers, it is natural that those spots will be filled by men if they represent the majority.”
The young British driver will face a significant challenge in maintaining her lead at the upcoming race in Miami on the first weekend of May.
With talented drivers like Abbi Pulling making up the F1 Academy grid, there is no doubt that some of them deserve their spots as women in motorsport.