What an emotion-filled Race 1 in Abu Dhabi for the F1 Academy, at the end of which Abbi Pulling reminded everyone of her talent by securing her eighth victory of the 2024 season.
The checkered flag has waved at the Yas Marina circuit, marking the conclusion of the first race in the final round of the F1 Academy. For the eighth time this season, it was Abbi Pulling who took the victory, celebrating her recently won title. Hamda Al Qubaisi also made it onto the podium in her home race, with Christian Horner, team principal of the Red Bull F1 team, celebrating alongside the Emirati driver. Completing the podium was Doriane Pin, who had to settle for third place in Race 1.
In fourth place was Emely de Heus, followed by Bianca Bustamante, who finally returned to points with a fifth-place finish. Nerea Martì and Maya Weug finished in sixth and seventh positions, respectively. Amna Al Qubaisi crossed the line in eighth, achieving her best result in the last four F1 Academy events. Carrie Scheiner and Aurelia Nobels rounded out the points-scoring positions. Outside the top ten were Chloe Chambers and the wild card entry for the Abu Dhabi event, Logan Hannah, who finished in 14th place.
Race 1 at Abu Dhabi – Race Report
Everything was ready on track for the first race of the F1 Academy at the Yas Marina circuit. As the lights went out, Chloe Chambers managed to immediately get the better of Abbi Pulling, who started from pole, taking the lead of the race. However, the American could not hold onto the lead for long, as she went off track, allowing the British driver to take over, followed by Hamda Al Qubaisi – the home driver – and Emely de Heus, who gained three positions in the first three laps. The American driver, supported by Haas F1 Team, after her early incident, rejoined the track dangerously and was handed a five-second penalty.
At the same time, Swiss driver Tina Haussmann was also given a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage after leaving the track. Doriane Pin, starting from fifth, fought her way to third, passing Bianca Bustamante and then Emely de Heus. In the lower ranks, Chloe Chambers fought to recover ground, overtaking Aurelia Nobels and then Haussmann, who went wide, allowing the American to move ahead. However, things didn’t improve for PREMA driver Chloe Chambers, who received an additional ten-second penalty for a collision with Lola Lovinfosse.
The real action of Race 1 came between sixth and seventh place, occupied by Nerea Martì and Maya Weug. The duel was decided only at the end of the race, with Martì managing to keep her position ahead of the Ferrari Driver Academy driver.
As the final five laps began, Abbi Pulling led, followed by Hamda Al Qubaisi (+2.348), Doriane Pin, Emely de Heus, Bianca Bustamante, Nerea Martì, Maya Weug, Carrie Schreiner, Amna Al Qubaisi, and Chloe Chambers.
During the race, Amna Al Qubaisi passed German driver Carrie Schreiner, supported by Sauber. At the front, Doriane Pin closed in on Hamda Al Qubaisi, who was holding onto second place. Pin made a bold move to pass on the outside, but Al Qubaisi successfully defended her position. Positions remained unchanged until the 14th lap. The next session will take place at 5:15 pm (CET) this afternoon, followed by the Formula 1 qualifying session, before the second race of the weekend in F1 Academy!
Photo: Abbi Pulling, F1 Academy.
