Doriane Pin was never headed in the opening race of the F1 Academy season in Jeddah, the Mercedes-backed driver winning from pole position.
However Pin faced sustained pressure over the 12 laps of Jeddah Corniche Circuit from Abbi Pulling, who finished under a second behind the winner in second place. Maya Weug completed the podium in third.It was a confident debut victory for Pin, who held onto the lead at the start and kept ahead of Pulling to start her season with 25 points. While Ferrari-supported Weug dropped over six seconds behind the leader, Alpine junior Pulling kept pace with Pin, finishing within a second of her and securing the bonus point for the fastest lap.
McLaren junior Bianca Bustamante survived early handling problems to finish sixth with Aston Martin’s Tina Hausmann in seventh. Aurelia Nobels claimed points in eighth ahead of Hamda Al Qubaisi in ninth and Sauber’s Carrie Schreiner taking the last point in tenth.
The greatest challenge to Pin’s lead came when she had to overcome a mid-race Safety Car period, triggered by a collision between wildcard entry Reema Juffali and Jessica Edgar, though she expertly contained Pulling as racing resumed. Marti was forced out of the race after running in the top five throughout following her hit from Lovinfosse, while debutante Lia Block failed to finish after spinning out on the penultimate lap at turn five.
Pin will start from pole position again in tomorrow second race of the weekend.
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F1 Academy Saudi Arabia race one results
| Position | Car | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | Doriane Pin | Prema |
| 2 | 9 | Abbi Pulling | Rodin |
| 3 | 64 | Maya Weug | Prema |
| 4 | 14 | Chloe Chambers | Campos |
| 5 | 3 | Lola Lovinfosse | Rodin |
| 6 | 16 | Bianca Bustamante | ART |
| 7 | 19 | Tina Hausmann | Prema |
| 8 | 22 | Aurelia Nobels | ART |
| 9 | 8 | Hamda Al Qubaisi | MP |
| 10 | 15 | Carrie Schreiner | Campos |
| 11 | 18 | Reema Juffali | Prema |
| 12 | 7 | Emely De Heus | MP |
| 13 | 88 | Amna Al Qubaisi | MP |
| DNF | 30 | Nerea Marti | Campos |
| DNF | 17 | Jessica Edgar | Rodin |
| DNF | 57 | Lia Block | ART |
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F1 Academy
- F1 Academy’s extra Yas Marina race technically reopens title fight
- Damaged barrier forces cancellation of second F1 Academy race at Losail
- Pulling seals F1 Academy title with three races to spare as Pin wins Losail opener
- New F1 race director Marques will also run F2 races in Qatar
- Women’s junior series F1 Academy to race at Las Vegas in revamped 2025 calendar
BasCB (@bascb)
8th March 2024, 14:09
That was a really solid race. Good to see they are showing that level of racing. And it’s good that the F1 TV team is giving it some attention too.
T
8th March 2024, 15:50
Pocket Rocket was phenomenal, she handed Pulling slipstream THE ENTIRE RACE and the best Pulling could do with it was nab fastest lap. Even then, Pulling was one Pin lock up away from losing it. Lights to flag even with a safety car.
I am here for the Prema/Mercedes Domination
MichaelN
8th March 2024, 17:00
Pin did well enough in her earlier F4 outings, both in Asia and the UAE with a race win in both.
I’m not sold on the idea behind this series, but if they’re going to run it it might as well be with the best talents.
Oople
8th March 2024, 17:05
Enjoyable enough race, but my goodness… the commentary was diabolical!
Was never a fan of Nicky Shields, but even I was embarrassed for her!