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The second round of F1 Academy in Miami provided a thrilling race.
Abbi Pulling won race 2 in Miami, followed by Bianca Bustamante and Doriane Pin.
What happened so far in Miami?
Qualifying
This year’s championship features changes in Qualifying, with two races taking place over the weekend, and the grid positions determined by drivers’ fastest and second-fastest laps.
Additionally, a wildcard entry, Courtney Crone, joined the grid for this weekend’s races.
The F1 Academy championship gains further visibility with the announcement of a Netflix docuseries scheduled for release in 2025.
During practice sessions, Doriane Pin and Pulling showcased strong performances, with Pulling topping the timesheets in FP2.
In Qualifying, Pulling set the pace early on, eventually securing pole position with a dominant performance. Other notable performances include Hamda Al Qubaisi in P3 and Bianca Bustamante in P4. The final grid positions for the races were determined, with Pulling emerging as the clear front-runner for the weekend.
Race 1
Despite a 10-minute delay due to oil on the track, Pulling emerged victorious in Race One after a competitive start.
Pulling maintained her lead from the lights out, while battles ensued throughout the field. Notable moments included Aurelia Nobels receiving a penalty for a collision, and Bianca Bustamante’s impressive progress after stalling at the start.
In the final laps, Chloe Chambers secured third place, while a battle between Hamda Al Qubaisi and Nerea Martí ensued. Pulling claimed victory, followed by Pin and Chambers, with Weug initially in fourth but receiving a penalty, dropping her to sixth.
The race concluded with Pulling taking the win, maintaining her dominance in the championship standings.
Race One here in Miami was full of action ?
Here are the top ten finishers ?#F1Academy #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/BlMJMPftgB
— F1 Academy (@f1academy) May 4, 2024
Lights out for race 2
Doriane Pin wanted to reduce her points gap to direct rival Abbi Pulling, but Bianca Bustamante started between the two – the McLaren-backed driver wanted to give it her all after a mistake at the start yesterday.
All lined up and ready to go ?#F1Academy #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/fzBOTRnboQ
— F1 Academy (@f1academy) May 5, 2024
The start went relatively smoothly, Bustamante tried to fight Pulling on the inside, but the latter closed the door directly.
Meanwhile, the yellow flag was waved in sector two because Tina Hausmann had to park her Aston Martin wrapped car. The second DNF in a row on the first lap – a nightmare for the Swiss driver.
Chloe Chambers, who started the second race from 8th place, fought her way up to fourth place in the first few laps, passing Hamda al Qubaisi, who started from 4th place.
Emily de Heus battled with wildcard winner Courtney Crone at the end of the grid and was able to prevail against the American for P14.
Emely is back ahead! She is currently in P14 ahead of Courtney#F1Academy #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/0qNi1QH8A8
— F1 Academy (@f1academy) May 5, 2024
The alternation between saving tyres and attacking the drivers in front was clearly visible.
As the race progressed
Lola Lovinfosse and Aurelia Nobels came into contact on lap 7 after a battle on the long straight of the track – Lovinfosse locked up and pushed Nobels into the barriers. Both drivers were able to continue, but slipped to the last two places.
Lovinfosse received a 10-second penalty for her previous collision with Tina Hausmann, and another 10-second penalty for the collision with Nobels.
In the midfield, there was a battle for 10th place between Carrie Schreiner, Lia Block and Emily de Heus – a battle that was important in order to take home at least one point.
Nothing changed at the top, Pulling pulled away from Bustamante and Pin with a gap of over three seconds.
Jessica Edgar lost her 8th place on lap 11 when she lost control of her car in the long turn 7.
After a series of good moves to get ahead of Nerea Marti, Jess Edgar spins off, letting the cars behind pass. She is back on track but is down in P15. #F1Academy #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/6y3LstFZJI
— F1 Academy (@f1academy) May 5, 2024
Closing stages
There were no further overtaking manoeuvres in the final laps of the race, so there were no changes at the front of the field.
Final results
- Abbi Pulling
- Bianca Bustamante
- Doriane Pin
- Chloe Chambers
- Maya Weug
- Hamda Al Qubaisi
- Nerea Martí
- Amna Al Qubaisi
- Carrie Schreiner
- Emely de Heus
- Lia Blick
- Courtney Crone
- Aurelia Nobels
- Jessica Edgar
- Lola Lovinfosse
DNF – Tina Hausmann
Feature Image Credit: Clive Mason via Getty Images