F1 ACADEMY: Pulling claims record-breaking eighth win in Yas Marina after Lap 1 drama for Chambers

It was another impressive victory for Alpine’s Abbi Pulling, as the 2024 F1 ACADEMY champion converted pole position into the win around the Yas Marina Circuit in Race 1. Chloe Chambers looked to threaten the top spot, taking the lead after a brilliant launch from the front row of the grid, but soon found herself in a spin on the opening lap.

Behind Pulling, Red Bull Racing’s Hamda Al Qubaisi did a fantastic job to secure second after defending from a determined Doriane Pin, who finished third in her Mercedes-backed car.

F1 ACADEMY: Pulling sweeps all three pole positions in Abu Dhabi

With the grid ready for their first of three races this weekend, all eyes were on the front row of pole-sitter Pulling and the Haas of Chambers. Once the lights went out, it was Chambers who got the best launch and sent herself comfortably into the lead by Turn 1.

However, her time in first place was short-lived, the American spinning at Turn 9. Chambers’ mistake sent her tumbling down order and out of the points, and saw her rejoin the circuit in an unsafe manner, for which she was later given a 5-second penalty.

Hamda Al Qubaisi was promoted up into second as a result, with her MP Motorsport team mate Emely De Heus behind after gaining three positions on the opening lap. The Dutch driver wasn’t able to hold on to that final podium position for long, as by the Lap 3 Pin was into third and had her sights on Al Qubaisi.

There were plenty of fascinating battles unfolding, including a four-way fight for 10th place. Tina Hausmann and Lola Lovinfosse jostled for the position, but Hausmann clipped the back of the Charlotte Tilbury car and was penalised for the offence.

Chambers, on a comeback drive after her first lap incident, also tapped Lovinfosse, who was subsequently sent into a spin. Soon it was Hausmann defending from Chambers, Aurelia Nobels and Lia Block, who had also caught up after a slow start, for the last point on Lap 8.

Up ahead, Nerea Marti and Maya Weug fought for sixth. Despite Weug’s best efforts in her Ferrari-liveried car, she wasn’t able to make the pass and Marti held position. The RB of Amna Al Qubaisi also caught up to the two, with Carrie Schreiner close behind, as they all fought for sixth.

In the closing stages Pulling created a four-second lead, while Al Qubaisi was still trying to keep Pin behind. By the penultimate lap the gap was just 0.290s, and although Pin gave it her best shot, Al Qubaisi demonstrated some excellent defensive driving to hold track position until the chequered flag.

Pulling continued her streak of finishing on the podium at every race this year, with Al Qubaisi understandably delighted to achieve some silverware in front of her home crowd. Pin recovered from fifth on the grid to take a top-three finish.

De Heus took her best result of the season to claim fourth, with Bianca Bustamante bringing her McLaren home in fifth. Marti held onto sixth, with Weug seventh, and Amna Al Qubaisi finishing eighth.

Carrie Schreiner took ninth and Nobels finished in the final points position for 10th, after Chambers’ penalty demoted her from P9 to P11 – while Hausmann's two penalties dropped her from 10th to 15th.