As the summer break rolls on, it’s not just the F1 and Feeder Series taking a well-deserved pause—the F1 ACADEMY is also catching its breath.
Now in its second season, the all-women series has been delivering some thrilling moments on track, showcasing the talent and determination of its drivers.
With three out of seven rounds completed and the fourth just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the standout performances so far.
In this F1 ACADEMY mid-season review, we’ll dive into the top four championship contenders who have been lighting up the series and are firmly in the hunt for the title.
Abbi Pulling – Rodin Motorsport
British driver Abbi Pulling, backed by Alpine, currently leads the F1 ACADEMY with 147 points, showcasing her dominance with four consecutive poles and wins out of six races.
While her first win came somewhat fortuitously—after Doriane Pin was penalised for failing to recognise the end of the second race in Jeddah—Pulling has since proven her prowess.
She secured both pole positions and two victories in Miami, achieving a clean sweep in Race 2 with pole, the win, and the fastest lap.
After her latest victory in Barcelona, Pulling has extended her lead in the Drivers’ Standings to a commanding 66 points over the second and third contenders.
However, despite this significant advantage, the 21-year-old must maintain her consistency and avoid any mistakes to hold onto her lead, as the competition remains fierce.
Adding to her accolades, Pulling made history by becoming the first female driver to win a race in the British Formula 4 Championship, further solidifying her status as a rising star in motorsport.
Doriane Pin – Prema Racing
Affectionately known as ‘The Pocket Rocket’ in the garage, Mercedes Junior Driver Doriane Pin is currently sitting second in the championship.
With 81 points, Pin had a strong start to the season. She led from the front and secured an assured victory in her first-ever F1 ACADEMY race.
However, a costly mistake in Race 2—where she failed to see the chequered flag and continued racing—resulted in a 20-second penalty.
This error deprived her of valuable points, which could have helped her maintain a more comfortable distance from Pulling in the standings.
Following that setback, things began to unravel. During the first race in Miami, Pin couldn’t keep pace with Pulling, finishing second. In Race 2, a surprising late charge from Bianca Bustamante relegated her to third place.
In Barcelona, Pin’s struggles continued. A disastrous start in the first race saw the Frenchwoman drop to P12, and another difficult start in the second race caused her to fall from P3 to P6.
She managed to salvage some points by finishing P7 and P5, respectively, but the turmoil significantly impacted her championship standing.
Despite these challenges, Doriane Pin has had an impressive start in her debut F1 ACADEMY season, all while also competing in the Formula Regional European Championship with the Iron Dames and former F1 ACADEMY champion Marta García.
Chloe Chambers – Campos Racing
American driver Chloe Chambers, a Guinness World Record holder for the fastest vehicle slalom, has risen as one of the surprises of the first half of the 2024 season.
Currently tied in points with Doriane Pin, Chambers shows no signs of easing off the throttle as she continues her climb up the championship standings.
Although her season didn’t start off with a bang—finishing P4 in the first race and struggling to better P10 in the second—Chambers found her rhythm in Miami.
She secured her first podium in Race 1 with a third-place finish. And she followed it up with a P4 in Race 2, adding a solid set of points to her tally.
The highlight of Chambers’ season so far came in Barcelona. The 19-year-old, supported by Haas, not only claimed a P3 in Race 1 but also achieved her first F1 ACADEMY victory in Race 2.
Chambers took control from the moment the lights went out. She left pole-sitter Abbi Pulling behind and dominated the race with unmatched pace.
Chambers’ consistency and continuous improvement throughout the season have positioned her as one of the top contenders for this year’s F1 ACADEMY championship.
Nerea Martí – Campos Racing
Tommy Hilfiger ambassador Nerea Martí didn’t have the best start to the season.
In the opening race in Jeddah, an unfortunate collision with Lola Lovinfosse during a battle for fourth place resulted in a DNF for Martí.
The 22-year-old bounced back in the second race, securing her first podium of the season, but found it challenging to break into the top ranks in Miami, where she finished P4 and P7.
However, Martí returned to form on home soil in Barcelona, earning a P2 finish in the first race, just ahead of her teammate Chloe Chambers.
A surprisingly fast Hamda Al Qubaisi prevented Martí from climbing higher than P4 in the second race, but she still managed to wrap up the first part of the season in fourth place in the championship standings.
She’s only 18 points behind the second and third contenders.
If Martí can maintain her consistency and continue improving throughout the rest of the season—and if the top three encounter any setbacks—she could have a strong chance of finishing higher in the final championship standings.
Next stop: Zandvoort and the Dutch Grand Prix
With only four races remaining, the F1 ACADEMY championship is shaping up to be a thrilling contest.
While Abbi Pulling holds a commanding lead, the battle is far from over. There are still plenty of points on the table, and with every race, the stakes get higher.
The upcoming race at Zandvoort is eagerly anticipated, as it could either solidify Pulling’s lead or open the door for her rivals to close the gap.
The circuit’s challenging layout and unpredictable weather could play a decisive role.
It’s a must-watch event for fans and a crucial opportunity for the drivers to either make their mark or fall behind.
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