Abbi Pulling has been crowned 2024 F1 Academy Champion after finishing P2 around the Lusail International Circuit.В?
Coming into the penultimate stage of the season, Pulling knew that she only needed 18 points over the course of the next two race weekends to be crowned champion.
The 21-year-old qualified in P3 for race 1 in Qatar. Her closest rival this year Doriane Pin, would line up on pole position for the race.
However, despite the Mercedes driver and Maya Weug of Ferrari both qualifying ahead of the British driver for both races, Pulling kept her nerve and drove an excellent race to take P2 in Race 1 at the Qatar Grand Prix.
This meant that Pulling had secured the F1 Academy title in its sophomore year, as she finds herself 95 points ahead of Pin in the standings.
Moreover, her consistency throughout the campaign has been superb, as she never crossed the line this season lower than P3 to date. Pulling has also balanced this with competing in British Formula 4, where she became the first female winner at Brands Hatch.
In addition to this, her success in F1 Academy and 2024 has seen Pulling be rewarded with a fully funded seat in GB3 next season with Rodin Motorsport after claiming the F1 Academy title.
A moment to remember for Pulling
Speaking with Naomi Schiff after the race, Pulling put into perspective just how much it means to her to become world champion as she thanked her family and her team.
“It’s nice to hear them words,” said Pulling after Schiff referred to her as the 2024 F1 Academy�Champion.
“Yeah, it’s been a tough season. I think most think you know going into the year, I had no choice but to win.”
“When you know me, I’ve struggled financially in the past and to get the prize for next year, I know�it’s so early to talk about next year but, that makes so happy and so incredibly proud.”
“I can’t thank everyone enough who has got me into this position, Alpine, Rodin cars, everyone stood over there, I can’t thank them enough.”
“There are so many people in my corner, my family, all the sacrifices that my dad has made but, it was just a sigh of relief. It wasn’t an easy race so I’m glad you know that I stuck it out at the start and really pushed on.”
Feature Image Credit: (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)