Abbi Pulling seals the 2024 F1 Academy championship

Entering the weekend with a massive 95-point lead in the standings, Pulling knew she needed to score just 18 points to seal the title, and duly did just that as she followed Pin home to take second place in race one.

Pulling has been imperious throughout the 2024 F1 Academy season. She led the standings all the way from round one after she was gifted the championship lead by Pin’s huge error at the end of race two in Jeddah, and never looked back.

With seven victories, three further podiums, and seven pole positions prior to the Qatar weekend, the Alpine driver dominated the field with relentless pace no other driver could consistently match.

Her title triumph will see her rewarded with a funded drive for the 2025 GB3 Championship with Rodin Motorsport, the same team she’s raced with in 2024. GB3 represents a step up the ladder for Pulling, and an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the likes of George Russell, who won the title when the series was known as the BRDC Formula 4 Championship.

“It’s been a tougher season than people think," Pulling said. "Going into the year, I had no choice other than to win this. I’ve struggled financially in the past, and to get the prize for next year, I know it’s so early to be talking about next year, it makes me so happy and incredibly proud.

“It’s such a weight off my shoulders, I think every year I go into every winter wondering what I’m going to do next. It’s been me and my dad, and recently I managed to get the likes of Alpine and Rodin Cars really pushing me, they’ve all been in my corner and helped me get this far, and that will help for the next step. 

“I’m going to go into next year as hungry as I have this year and really put the work in, and make the most of the opportunity. I can for once say I’ll leave no stone unturned!”

Images courtesy of Getty Images.