The first session of the F1 Academy in Abu Dhabi has concluded, with Chloe Chambers setting the fastest time, followed by Abbi Pulling and Doriane Pin.
The first session of the F1 Academy in Abu Dhabi has just concluded with the forty-minute FP1, the only free practice session of the weekend. To some surprise, the fastest driver was Chloe Chambers with a time of 1:56.175. This weekend, she is fighting alongside Nerea Martì for the fourth position in the championship. Behind the American, we find the newly crowned 2024 season champion, Abbi Pulling, who will be replaced by Nina Gademan from next season—a wild card already seen during the Zandvoort weekend—and Doriane Pin.
The fourth-fastest time was set by one of the two home drivers, Hamda Al Qubaisi. The Red Bull-supported driver was the first to go under 1:57 during the session, ultimately finishing just behind the podium positions in FP1. After a less-than-ideal weekend in Qatar, Bianca Bustamante set the fifth-fastest time, followed by Nerea Martì and Jessica Edgar.
The other home driver, Amna Al Qubaisi, secured the eighth position, ahead of Tina Haussmann, who took to the track later than expected due to some issues with her car. Aurelia Nobels, Emely de Heus, Carrie Schreiner, and Lia Block finished in positions 10 through 13. Maya Weug, after five consecutive podiums, seems to be struggling at Yas Marina—just as she did during testing—finishing the session in 14th place. Abu Dhabi wild card Logan Hannah also failed to set a noteworthy time, ending up in last place. Between the two drivers, Lola Lovinfosse.
We now await qualifying at 15:30 (CET) this afternoon to determine the pole woman for the three races scheduled for the F1 Academy in Abu Dhabi.
Photos: F1 Academy.