Abbi Pulling looks back at her title and her challenge for 2025

At 21 years old, the Briton has never hidden that motorsport is a ruthless environment, especially after having to interrupt her campaign in British F4 three years ago due to budget issues. Facing an uncertain future, Abbi Pulling knew that winning the F1 ACADEMY championship title was not just a goal, but her only option to continue pursuing her racing dream.

Read also: La F1 Academy unveils its schedule for 2025

A solid season

With this pressure on her shoulders, the Alpine junior could have faltered. But she showed determination, maturity, and impressive raw speed to rise to the top and secure a fully funded seat in the GB3 Championship.

“This year has been the one where I’ve felt the most pressure before a season,” confides Abbi Pulling reflecting on 2024. “It was simple: perform well to continue. Even if I had finished P2, I had no idea what I was going to do next. Having this funded seat in GB3 is invaluable to me.”

« People don’t realize how much this sport is a matter of life and death for some. Some are lucky enough to have the necessary financial support. One can be envious, but everyone plays with the cards they are dealt, and so do I. It’s more difficult on my side, but if you work hard and prove you’re fast on the track, then opportunities can arise », she explains.

« Sometimes, they don’t come, and that’s the cruelty of this sport. I am aware of being very lucky to be where I am today. For those who haven’t had the same opportunities, I want to make the most of it and prove in GB3 that I have my place. »

« I don’t want to be seen just as a woman driver, but as a fast driver. » Executing an almost perfect 2024 campaign, Abbi Pulling seemed to make things easy, clinching the title with a 121-point lead. She won a record nine victories in 14 races, secured 10 pole positions, achieved five Grand Slams (pole, fastest lap, victory leading all laps), and never stepped off the podium.

Jeddah: Decisive Race

“I’ve always had it in me,” she analyzes. “I think I drove very well at times last year, but certain things out of my control went wrong. On paper, yes, this year has been exceptional, but I’ve already had this level for a while. I finally had the opportunity to show it.”

The breakthrough occurred as early as the second race of the season in Jeddah, when she was declared the winner after a penalty was given to Doriane Pin for crossing the finish line twice. Although this first victory in the F1 ACADEMY had a bittersweet taste, Abbi Pulling worked tirelessly to silence the critics.

In Miami, she secured two pole positions and won two consecutive races, narrowly missing a perfect weekend due to just one point for the fastest lap in race 1. Miami triggered everything, she explains. After that, I never really slowed down, I kept progressing, and I became very comfortable. It gave me more confidence.

« Part of this motivation also comes from the criticism on social media after my inherited victory in Jeddah. I received quite a few negative comments, for no reason. But I was there at the right time and the people around me reminded me of that. It just gave me even more motivation to prove that I deserved to be there. I knew it would take a lot to stop me. »

With a lead of 95 points after Singapore, Abbi Pulling could have succumbed to complacency. But she knew she would have to face Doriane Pin (Mercedes) and Maya Weug (Ferrari).

The only time I really said to myself ‘it’s good, I got it’ was after Singapore, she admits. The gap was already big, but everything could still go wrong. Until that moment, I had never been off the podium. I knew my competitors would need a feat to catch up with me, but I didn’t want to let my guard down.

In Doha, we struggled as a team. But in Abu Dhabi, we were confident and I knew exactly what I had to do.

Hopes for the future

« I have a lot of respect for Doriane and Maya. Maya has really raised her level in the last races, and Doriane has done LMP2 with Daniil Kvyat. When you have a former F1 driver as a teammate, you can’t be slow. After Jeddah, I really thought the title would be decided until the last lap.

Despite a season beyond her expectations, Abbi Pulling knows that the work is not finished. “I wanted to focus on myself and work on my mindset this year,” she explains. “I’ve made progress, but I can still improve. This winter, I will work a lot on my physical condition, because it’s terrible not to be able to exploit a car because of that.”

« Everyone can always improve. Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton… No one is perfect. » Thanks to her title, Abbi Pulling will benefit from a funded seat in GB3, a category just below F3. She will continue with Rodin Motorsport, the team that led Louis Sharp to the title in 2024.

« I almost want to say ‘finally a bigger car!’ » she exclaims enthusiastically. « Bruno Michel (CEO of F2 and F3) gave me the opportunity to try an F3 two years ago and I’ve never forgotten that day. I was jealous of those who drove it all year. Now, I have an opportunity. It’s not the same car, but it has a lot of downforce and power, so I can’t wait to be there. »

« Some ask me what I expect from this season. Honestly, I have no idea. I will be facing more experienced drivers, but my goal is always to be at the front and fight for the trophies. »

« Even if I’m not at the top right away, I hope to progress and finish the season comfortably in a bigger and faster car. »