F1 Academy’s decision to reinstate the race it was forced to cancel last weekend has technically reopened its championship fight.
Abbi Pulling originally clinched the championship in the opening race at Losail International Circuit last week by finishing second to rival Doriane Pin. The Alpine junior pulled 83 points clear of Pin with 82 available over the remaining races.However the second race of the weekend on Sunday was cancelled due to barrier damage caused by the preceding Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East series. F1 Academy explored every option to reschedule the event during the weekend but found itself with no alternative and left Losail with only one of its two planned races complete.
Pin’s tally includes two points she scored by taking pole position for the second race at Losail. She retains these points even though the race never took place.
F1 Academy confirmed yesterday two points will be awarded for pole position in all three races this weekend. This means an extra two points will be awarded over the course of the season, and Pulling’s points total could therefore now be overcome.
The chances of this happening are extremely slim. Pulling has finished every race on the podium so far this year. In order for Pin to claim the title she would have to take pole position, set fastest lap and win all three of this weekend races while Pulling fails to score a single point.
F1 Academy was set up last year in order to encourage more women to participate in motorsport. The promoters chose to reschedule last weekend’s race out of a desire to ensure none of its competitors missed out on any track time.
The winner of this year’s championship will receive a fully funded drive in the GB3 series with Rodin Motorsport.
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F1 Academy
- Weug finally claims first victory in frantic F1 Academy season finale
- Pulling claims ninth win of season after another mistake by Chambers
- Champion Pulling takes eighth win after Chambers throws away lead
- 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
Dex
4th December 2024, 16:55
Another very professional championship…
amped
4th December 2024, 18:51
F1 is completely at fault for this one, they can’t blame the FIA since it isn’t involved.
SPArtacus
5th December 2024, 0:04
Well intentioned (kind of, they’re mostly in it as a shield against accusations of sexism in the sport), but a poorly thought out idea if they’re actually serious about fostering competitive female drivers. They probably wanted instant recognition for their “efforts,” but even that is a miscalculation because the only ones who will be aware of F1A are F1 fans and most of them know what a frivolous exercise F1A is.
The best way to produce competitive female drivers is to foster and support talented girls starting with the 6-10 yo age range which is when most future F1 drivers start. If there aren’t enough entering, find a way to attract a bigger pool. Sponsor 50 or whatever female karters and then sponsor any who are competitive with the boys. If it’s only 1, then it’s only one. Sponsor another 50 the next year at the rookie (first karting series they enter). Rinse and repeat. You’ll eventually get a good of pool of drivers who actually have a chance. For what it cost them to bring all those young women, their cars, the support staff, etc. to Qatar alone would be enough money alone to sponsor 50 female karters alone.
Beyond just the girls though, they should be sponsoring at least 5+ boys a year who are great, but simply can’t afford to continue. This will raise the quality and equality of F1’s grid. There are only 3 drivers on the grid right now who didn’t have wealthy or connected families supporting them.
Alonslow
4th December 2024, 18:15
F1A must be paying Rodin Motorsport pretty well for them to field a 0 points scorer next year or maybe GB3 is low level enough such that Abbi will do ok at it, I don’t know much about the uk lower formula.
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
4th December 2024, 20:26
How on earth can they make it count for the championship, absolutely lame.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
4th December 2024, 22:00
Instead of the post-season test (for young drivers, featuring Ocon and Sainz) can we have a series of full-points Grands Prix around Yas Marina until someone beats Verstappen?
Jere (@jerejj)
5th December 2024, 6:55
Easier said than done.
Craig
5th December 2024, 10:13
After the cancelled 2nd race in Qatar I think it’s good they managed to find an opportunity to replace it and the will to do so even if it does technically re-open the championship (not that Pulling’s likely to lose at this stage unless something truly insane happens). I’m sure we don’t want repeats of Spa 2021, though I am fully aware re-scheduling an F1 event is a very different proposition.