The 2024 F1 Academy season kicked off in Saudi Arabia, with 15 drivers and 1 wildcard in search of glory. Doriane Pin dominated much of the weekend, yet it is Abbi Pulling who leaves Jeddah in command of the Championship.
Race 1
Doriane Pin was in a league of her own in Race 1 in Jeddah. Starting from pole, the Mercedes junior driver had a brilliant start, and led into turn 1 ahead of Abbi Pulling. Pin raced off into the distance, and led every lap on her way to a brilliant F1 Academy debut win.
Behind Pin, Pulling and Weug fought over the second spot on the podium. After a safety car on lap 3 due to an incident between Al Qubaisi and Juffali, Pulling was put under pressure by Weug at the restart on lap 5. Pulling defended well into turn 1, and held off the Prema Racing driver.
Lia Block and Tina Hausmann were locked in a battle for eight, but both locked up into turn 1. This gave Rodin Motorsport driver Jessica Edgar the chance to overtake both cars, but the British driver made contact with Hausmann and suffered a puncture.
Pulling was able to limit her losses to Pin somewhat, by taking the fastest lap of the race. Overall, it was a formidable display by Pin, as the French driver stormed to victory.
Race 2
It looked set to be another dominant performance from Pin in Race 2. Once again, Pin started from P1, and led Pulling and Weug into turn 1.
It was a comfortable afternoon for Pin, who survived an attack from Abbi Pulling on lap 10 to lead home the British driver again.
But the true drama occurred after the chequered flag, as Pin failed to slow down. The Prema Racing driver was unaware that the race had concluded, and continued to attack into an extra lap.
Pin told fellow drivers Pulling and Weug that she encountered a radio issue, and had not seen the chequered flag.
Unfortunately for the 20 year old, the FIA were not in a forgiving mood in Jeddah. Pin was handed a 20 second penalty after the race, dropping the Frenchwoman to P9. Pulling was promoted to win her first F1 Academy race, joined by Weug and Marti on the podium.
It was an unfortunate ending to what was otherwise a brilliant debut weekend for Pin in F1 Academy. Pulling will be encouraged by her performance, and will look to take the battle to Pin on track in Miami.
