Doriane Pin Shines in Saudi Arabia: Takes Commanding Pole in 2024 F1 Academy Season Opener
The 2024 F1 Academy season officially roared to life under the lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, and it was Mercedes junior driver Doriane Pin who stamped her authority on the grid with a spectacular pole position. Her lap was not only dominant it sent a clear message to the rest of the field: she is the driver to beat this season.
🌃 Lights On in Jeddah: The Stakes Rise
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix marked the season opener for the second-ever F1 Academy season. With all 10 F1 teams now officially backing one driver each, the competition level has taken a massive step forward in 2024. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit a high-speed street circuit that rewards bravery and precision proved to be the perfect stage for the young talents to showcase their skills.
With championship points on the line and global attention higher than ever, the qualifying session was more than just a fight for grid position it was a statement of intent.
🚀 Pin’s Pole: Precision and Power
Driving for Prema Racing and representing Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, Doriane Pin produced a stunning lap of 2:03.472, nearly eight-tenths of a second clear of her closest rival. It was the perfect start for the French driver, who already comes with a reputation built in endurance racing and Ferrari’s driver academy.
“I really love this track,” said Pin after the session. “It’s fast, technical, and it forces you to take risks. The team gave me a great car, and we nailed the lap. I’m really happy to start the season like this.”
Pin’s performance wasn’t just quick—it was composed and fearless. Navigating Jeddah’s tight walls and sweeping corners at night, she managed to extract the perfect balance between aggression and control.
🥈 The Chase Behind: Pulling and Weug Deliver
Abbi Pulling, now fully integrated into Alpine’s development program, continued her rise in form with a strong second-place qualifying effort for Rodin Motorsport. While nearly eight-tenths behind Pin, Pulling looked sharp and determined—ready to capitalize on any opportunity in the races ahead.
Maya Weug, representing Ferrari with Prema Racing, completed the top three. The first-ever female Ferrari Academy driver is showing significant progress, combining her technical feedback with speed and consistency. With both Prema drivers inside the top three, the team looks formidable right from round one.
🧾 Top 10 Qualifying Results – Saudi Arabia F1 Academy (2024)
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 07: Doriane Pin of France and PREMA Racing (28) drives on track during practice prior to Round 1 Jeddah of the F1 Academy at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 07, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Pauline Ballet – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
🔍 What the Numbers Show
The time gaps may appear large at the top, but the midfield battle is fierce. Positions 4 through 10 were separated by less than half a second, meaning that the Sprint Race could produce major shuffling. Notably, Bianca Bustamante, now representing McLaren, continued her development with a solid P5 effort after switching teams in the off-season.
Lia Block, representing Williams and making her F1 Academy debut, qualified a respectable 7th an impressive feat on such a challenging circuit. Her rallying background seemed to aid her confidence in Jeddah’s more unpredictable corners.
🏁 What’s at Stake
With multiple races scheduled across the Saudi GP weekend including Sprint and Feature Races qualifying is only part of the puzzle. However, the psychological boost of starting from pole cannot be overstated. Doriane Pin now has clear air ahead and will be difficult to catch if her pace remains this strong under race conditions.
The 2024 F1 Academy season is critical not just for the drivers but for the future of women in motorsport. With the sport now officially under the F1 banner and backed by the biggest teams in racing, success in this series could pave the way to F3 and beyond.
🗣️ What They Said
Doriane Pin (Mercedes / Prema):
“This is the best way to start the season. I’m proud of the work we’ve done as a team, and I’m focused on converting this into a win.”
“We’re in a good position. I feel confident with the car. Pin was rapid today, but the races are long and anything can happen.”
Maya Weug (Ferrari / Prema):
“Top three is a solid start. It’s going to be tight in the race, and we’re ready to fight.”
🌍 A Bigger Stage, A Bigger Opportunity
The growth of F1 Academy is one of the most exciting developments in motorsport. With drivers now paired directly with F1 teams, the level of support, investment, and exposure has skyrocketed. The 2024 grid is more competitive than ever, and qualifying in Jeddah confirmed that the standard continues to rise.
As the lights go out for Race 1, all eyes will be on Doriane Pin but with talents like Pulling, Weug, Martí, and Bustamante chasing hard, the season is wide open.
Next up: Race 1 under the lights in Jeddah. Can Pin convert pole into victory? Stay tuned.
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