It was a dominant weekend by Prema’s Doriane Pin, but it was Abbi Pulling who stole the spotlight at the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix.
Abbi Pulling wins the 2024 F1 Academy title
On the night of the Qatar Grand Prix, a new star was born. Abbi Pulling achieved her dream by becoming the new champion of the F1 Academy.
It was just a question of “when” because Abbi Pulling showed from the first race that she had the ability to become the new champion.
The Rodin and Alpine driver is the second F1 Academy champion, following in the footsteps of Marta Garcia who won last year’s inaugural season.
With her title win, Pulling will receive a fully funded seat in GB3 with Rodin Motorsport for 2025.
Free Practices session in Qatar
Pulling’s rival from the beginning of the season has been Doriane Pin. And when F1 Academy’s first weekend in Qatar, it was Abbi Pulling and Doriane Pine who were fighting to put out the best laps.
Unfortunately, Pulling had a difficult start to the first Free Practice session, having encountered an engine issue. But that didn’t stop her, and after the team solved the problem, she returned to the track for the second part of Free Practice, setting the second fastest time.
Ferrari driver Maya Weug took third place, sticking close to the title protagonists all weekend long.
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Qualifying
During qualifying, Pin presented herself as a challenge to Pulling yet again. Under the scorching sun and dunes of Qatar, both girls challenged each other until the last lap to set the best time.
Doriane Pin prevailed, taking pole position for both Race 1 and Race 2. Pulling meanwhile qualified in P3 for both races.
A new star is born in Qatar, Abbi Pulling is crowned champion!
Pulling simply needed to score 18 points in the last four races to secure the Championship, and it took her only one try to achieve this feat.
Pin crossed the line first in Race 1. Behind her was the Alpine junior, Abbi Pulling But even Doriane Pin’s third victory of the season wasn’t enough to stop the English fury.
Despite Doriane’s victory, with a P2 she became champion, winning the title with a race to spare.
In the sultry heat of Qatar, Abbi Pulling has written history, her history: 32 races, 7 wins, 17 podiums, 9 pole positions and 9 fastest laps throughout her F1 Academy journey.
The British driver has just concluded an unforgettable 2024 season, consolidating her name in the history of motorsport, and inspiring young girls all over the world.
Not only has she made her mark in F1 Academy, but this season, Pulling became the first British woman to win a British F4 race, proving to be an example for many women and girls around the world.
Now her road will be an uphill one. Where will Abbi Pulling go? Formula 3? Formula 2? With a pure talent like hers, the options are many, and everything is still to be discovered.
But for 2025, she has been guaranteed a fully funded GB3 seat with Rodin.
Race 2 cancelled, Constructors’ title to be played in Abu Dhabi
Race 2 was unfortunately cancelled. The girls waited half an hour on the grid before the official announcement came in.
The reason for the cancellation was to repair a protection barrier on the track from damage caused during the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East session. Unfortunately, the work was not completed in time.
On a bitter note, the fight for the Constructors’ title to Abu Dhabi. Doriane Pin’s Prema Racing are in P1, 28 points ahead of Abbi Pulling’s Rodin Motorsport.
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