Abbi Pulling, the 2024 F1 Academy champion, has shared the difficulties she has encountered since advancing from the all-female F1 Academy racing series to the GB3 Championship. Following her title-winning season with Rodin Motorsport and support from the Alpine Formula 1 team, Pulling earned a fully funded seat in GB3 for 2024 as part of her F1 Academy prize.
The British driver, 22, began her GB3 campaign impressively at Silverstone, where she qualified fourth and finished fifth. Despite this strong debut, Pulling acknowledged that adapting to the new series has been a considerable challenge.
Adjusting to New Demands in GB3 Racing Environment
Pulling explained the significant step up in vehicle performance and team size she has experienced moving into GB3.
“The jump from F1 Academy to GB3 is quite big. There’s a lot of downforce so it’s not been easy,”
she said during an interview with The Girls Who Eat, Breathe, And Dream Motorsport YouTube channel.
She also noted the complexity of working within a much larger team structure compared to previous racing environments.
“But learning every time I get in the car. Working in a slightly bigger team – there’s more personnel, and similar to here [Formula E] – although it’s like triple the personnel I’m used to – it’s a bigger operation.”
Pulling sees this as an exciting phase while managing her GB3 races alongside additional responsibilities.
“So it’s exciting to then be pairing this with my GB3 campaign and working behind the scenes as a sim and rookie driver,”
she added.
Simultaneously Building Experience with Nissan Formula E
Apart from GB3, Pulling has taken on a new role with the Nissan Formula E team, serving as a rookie and simulator driver. She earned this opportunity after participating in the first women’s test in November, a three-hour session during the 2024/25 Formula E pre-season schedule that allowed female drivers to experience the Season 11 GEN 3 Evo race car.
Reflecting on this experience, Pulling expressed enthusiasm about the unique nature of Formula E racing.
“It was super exciting and it was nothing like I’d ever experienced before,”
she said.
“The electric power, the instant torque, was incredible. I mean, as soon as you put your foot down, it just went.”
Highlighting the productive nature of her simulation work, she remarked,
“I’m super excited to get back going again. And the sim work that we did was super productive.”
Looking ahead, Pulling shared her personal goals for improvement.
“For me personally, I just want to progress on where I was at the women’s test. I’ve got some areas I need to work on. So that’ll be the target.”
Importance of Women’s Test and Support for Female Drivers
Pulling also emphasized how critical the women’s test was in providing her with this unique pathway into Formula E. She acknowledged the key role such initiatives play in creating opportunities for female drivers.
“I think it’s huge. I mean, if it wasn’t for the women’s test, I don’t know if I would have ever had the opportunity to do this rookie test and build the relationship with Nissan.”
She praised Jeff Dodds and Formula E’s open-minded approach toward female inclusion.
“So for me, what Jeff [Dodds] is doing and Formula E as a whole and how open-minded they are to having females involved is really nice. And then having this more extended partnership with Nissan, being the sim and rookie driver.”
Reflecting her optimistic vision for the future, Pulling added,
“I’m constantly learning and it gives me the opportunity to improve on myself and through the years, hopefully I make a big jump in my understanding of this car and how to drive it and get more competitive.”
Outlook on Abbi Pulling’s Racing Journey and Development
Abbi Pulling’s move from F1 Academy to GB3 illustrates the challenging step up required to compete at higher tiers of motorsport. Her dual role with Nissan Formula E as a simulator and rookie driver complements her racing commitments, providing vital experience in cutting-edge electric racing technologies. The support from Alpine in F1 and Nissan in Formula E highlights a growing pathway for female drivers aiming to reach top-level competition.
As Pulling continues her development throughout the 2024 season, her adaptability and ongoing commitment to learning suggest a promising future. The combination of on-track performance in GB3 and behind-the-scenes work in Formula E offers her a unique foundation to advance within motorsport’s competitive landscape while championing female participation.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is number 13 banned in F1?
A. Yes, the number 13 is permitted. Pastor Maldonado chose #13 when the permanent numbering system started in 2014. Despite its unlucky reputation in some cultures, Formula 1 lets drivers decide their numbers.
Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton, born in 1985, is a British race car driver in Formula One. He competes for Mercedes and has also raced for McLaren. Hamilton openly talks about his experiences with ADHD and shares his wide range of interests and hobbies.
Q. Is 69 allowed in F1?
A. F1 drivers can pick a permanent racing number from 2 to 99, but not 17, to use during their career.
Q. Which F1 drivers have ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton, born in 1985, is a British driver in Formula One. He currently races for Mercedes and has previously driven for McLaren. Hamilton openly shares his experiences with ADHD and explores his wide-ranging hobbies and interests.