British racer Abbi Pulling made headlines on Sunday as she clinched her first-ever victory in the British F4 series at Brands Hatch, becoming the first female race winner in the championship's history.
Just a week prior, the 21-year-old Alpine driver had already made waves by securing a double triumph in the all-female F1 Academy championship held in Miami.
Making history as the first female driver to win a @BritishF4 race! @AbbiPulling 🏆🔥
📸 @JakobEbrey #RodinMotorsport @RodinCars #BritishF4 pic.twitter.com/tjv7SOrudT— Rodin Motorsport (@RodinMotorsport) May 12, 2024
Pulling led from start to finish in the reverse-grid race on Brands Hatch's Indy layout. Despite facing a challenging first lap that saw the safety car deployed, Pulling maintained her composure and surged ahead once the race resumed, eventually crossing the finish line with a lead of 5.534 seconds. Her strategic management of the tyres and a blistering fastest lap further solidified her victory, outpacing a field of 18 boys and four girls.
"I competed in this championship a couple of years ago, and my aim was to break that record and be the first female to stand on the top step," Pulling told ITV4.
"I finally did it coming back and it's been an incredible weekend. I think it shows what F1 Academy is doing. It's bringing up female participation and there's just such a buzz now around women in motorsport and bringing more participation and licence holders in."
This latest triumph marks a significant milestone in Pulling's racing career, which began with a commendable sixth-place finish in F4 back in 2020. Pulling previously could not compete at British F4 due to running out of funding, but she earned a place in F1 Academy's forerunner, the W Series, for the 2022 season. Now racing for Rodin Motorsport, Pulling's exceptional performance not only secured her place in history but also highlighted her potential for greater success.
Pulling Power. ⚡️@AbbiPulling dominated @f1academy this weekend with wins in R1 and R2 in Miami. Let's go, Abbi! 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/507ewK0Qjj
— Silverstone (@SilverstoneUK) May 6, 2024
Adding to her recent achievements, Pulling currently leads Season 2 of the F1 Academy championship, holding a 34-point advantage over her closest competitor, Mercedes' Doriane Pin. Despite her position at the top of the standings, Pulling remains focused on the task at hand, emphasizing her commitment to maintaining her winning momentum.
Looking ahead, Pulling's success in the F1 Academy could pave the way for further advancements in her career, with the possibility of securing a coveted F3 drive. With five rounds remaining in Season 2, Pulling stands poised to continue her dominance, starting with the upcoming race in Barcelona next month.
With her sights set on further triumphs, Pulling's remarkable journey in motorsport is undoubtedly one to watch, inspiring aspiring racers and breaking barriers along the way.
