Doriane Pin Opens F1 Academy 2024 with a Commanding Victory in Saudi Arabia
The 2024 F1 Academy season kicked off in spectacular fashion under the night skies of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Doriane Pin delivered a statement win in Race 1 of the weekend. The Mercedes junior and Prema Racing star led from pole to flag, defending brilliantly against a hard-charging Abbi Pulling and proving she may be the title favorite from day one. The result marked the beginning of what promises to be the most competitive season yet in F1 Academy history.
🏁 The Circuit and the Stakes
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, one of the fastest and most technical street circuits in the world, offered the perfect challenge for the young grid of F1 Academy racers. With sweeping high-speed corners, limited run-off areas, and unforgiving barriers, precision and composure were essential.
This was not only the first race of the 2024 season, but the first under the new format where each of the 10 Formula 1 teams supports a dedicated female driver. As a result, the eyes of the entire paddock were watching. For many of these women, a path to Formula 3—and eventually Formula 1—now feels more tangible than ever before.
🚀 Pin Sets the Pace Early
Doriane Pin, racing for Prema and backed by Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1, came into the weekend as a highly touted contender. The 20-year-old Frenchwoman set the tone early, clinching pole position in a dominant qualifying session with a time of 2:03.472—nearly eight-tenths clear of her nearest rival.
When the lights went out for Race 1, Pin executed a flawless launch, immediately covering off Abbi Pulling (Rodin Motorsport / Alpine) into Turn 1. From there, Pin built a consistent rhythm, expertly managing the pace despite pressure from Pulling in the opening laps.
As the race progressed, the field began to spread out behind the leading trio—Pin, Pulling, and Maya Weug (Prema / Ferrari)—while midfield battles raged on between the likes of Bianca Bustamante, Chloe Chambers, and Lola Lovinfosse.
🔥 The Top Three
Doriane Pin led every lap and never relinquished control. Her ability to manage tire degradation, brake temperature, and race pressure on a circuit known for punishing even the smallest mistakes was a testament to her growing experience.
Abbi Pulling, one of the most experienced drivers in the series and Alpine’s official Academy representative, kept Pin within striking distance but couldn’t find the gap to make a move. Her second place, however, was a strong start to the season.
Maya Weug, Ferrari’s first female junior, held her own with a measured and mature drive. She kept Pulling in sight but opted for consistency over aggression—banking important points and delivering a 1–3 finish for Prema Racing.
📊 Full Race 1 Results – Jeddah 2024
Doriane Pin (Prema Racing / Mercedes) – 26:50.962
Abbi Pulling (Rodin Motorsport / Alpine) – +0.8s
Maya Weug (Prema Racing / Ferrari) – +6.9s
Chloe Chambers (Campos Racing / Haas) – +11.6s
Lola Lovinfosse (Rodin Motorsport) – +13.2s
Bianca Bustamante (ART GP / McLaren) – +13.9s
Tina Hausmann (Prema Racing / Aston Martin) – +20.0s
Aurelia Nobels (ART GP / Alfa Romeo) – +22.7s
Hamda Al Qubaisi (MP Motorsport / Red Bull) – +23.4s
Carrie Schreiner (Campos Racing / Sauber) – +24.6s
With 25 points secured for the win, Doriane Pin takes an early lead in the F1 Academy standings. More importantly, her dominance has sent a message to the rest of the grid: this season, she’s not here to participate—she’s here to win.
Abbi Pulling, meanwhile, takes 18 valuable points, placing herself in solid contention heading into Race 2. Ferrari and Prema Racing can also be pleased with a double podium and the early lead in the team standings.
🗣️ Post-Race Quote
Doriane Pin (P1):
“This is exactly how we wanted to start the season. Pole, win, and clean execution. The team has worked so hard and I’m proud to bring this result to Mercedes.”
“It’s a great start. I wanted the win, of course, but there’s a long season ahead. We’ve got the pace—we’ll keep fighting.”
Maya Weug (P3):
“It’s good to be on the podium in the first race. The car felt strong, and we’ll push for more in Race 2.”
🧭 What’s Next?
Race 2 of the Saudi Arabian F1 Academy weekend will see the grid reshuffled for a reverse-grid format, promising more overtakes and potential surprises. With Jeddah’s walls waiting to punish even the slightest misjudgment, nothing is guaranteed.
Pin will now have to navigate traffic from the midfield. It’s an opportunity for others—like Chambers, Lovinfosse, and Bustamante—to seize the spotlight and shake up the standings.
Stay tuned as F1 Academy continues to build momentum and elevate the next generation of women in motorsport.
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