The F1 Academy drivers are back on track in Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit for the penultimate round of the season. Here’s the weekend schedule.
After a nearly two-month break following the Singapore round in September, it’s time for the F1 Academy to return to action in Qatar, during a weekend shared with Formula 2 and Formula 1. Abbi Pulling’s dominance in the championship seems unquestionable, and she could become the second F1 Academy champion with 245 points, earning a spot in GB3 for 2025.
The British driver, supported by Alpine, currently leads the championship ahead of Doriane Pin (150 points) and Maya Wueg (120 points). Meanwhile, the battle for fourth place in the drivers’ standings continues to be close between Chloe Chambers, who will race for Red Bull Ford next season, and Nerea Martì, with 103 and 101 points, respectively. On the Constructors’ side, the fight for the title is also very tight, with PREMA Racing leading, but Rodin Motorsport is only seven points behind, making it a fierce battle for the top spot.
As part of the event, F1 Academy will give Alisha Palmowski the opportunity to race in Qatar as a wild card, driving the number 6 car for PREMA Racing. The young British driver, who recently concluded her debut season in single-seaters in the 2024 GB4 Championship, stood out by finishing second in the overall standings, with three wins, two pole positions, and 11 podiums—making her the driver with the most podium finishes of all competitors in the series.
“I’m really excited to be the Wild Card in Qatar, it’s an incredible opportunity and something I never could have dreamed of 12 months ago. This will be my first race outside the UK, and to race on the F1 Academy grid as support to Formula 1 is a dream come true. I want to sincerely thank the F1 Academy team and of course Susie Wolff for giving me this opportunity to learn and, hopefully, earn a spot on the grid for next year ” said Palmowski, emphasizing the professional and personal significance of this opportunity and thanking the category’s director and former driver, Susie Wolff.
The British driver also expressed her hope of securing a place for the next F1 Academy season. This wouldn’t be the only case, as another wild card driver from this season will also have the chance to join the championship next year, as demonstrated by Courtney Crone, who will race for Haas F1 Team in 2025.
Weather and Schedule for F1 Academy in Qatar
The lights for the penultimate round of the F1 Academy will go out on Friday, November 29, with the first practice session in the morning (Italian time). The entire weekend is expected to remain dry, although winds of up to 31 km/h during the three morning sessions could lead to some surprises. Here’s the full weekend schedule:
Friday, November 29, 2024
- 11:00 Free Practice 1 – Sky Sport F1
- 16:00 Free Practice 2 – Sky Sport F1
Saturday, November 30, 2024
- 13:15 Qualifying – Sky Sport F1
- 21:05 Race 1 – Sky Sport F1
Sunday, December 1, 2024
- 12:00 Race 2 – Sky Sport F1
The sessions will also be broadcast live on the official F1 Academy social media channels, on YouTube, or on F1 TV. “All schedules and weather forecasts for each GP and category can be checked by downloading the official GPKingdom App, available for Android and iOS.”
Photos: F1 Academy, Alisha Palmowski.