The me who was eight years old would be amazed.
Abbi Pulling is in a celebratory mood on the podium following a race.
Abbi Pulling currently holds the top position in the F1 Academy Championship.
Charlotte Simpson remains unchanged.
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Abbi Pulling has been beating a man to the chequered flag for years, it’s not a goal she is currently working towards. The type of machinery she uses to cross the line is her main concern.
And she still has her sights set firmly on driving a Formula 1 car.
Supported by Alpine, a French F1 team since 2022, the 21-year-old from Lincolnshire has been striving to progress through the ranks in hopes of becoming the first woman in nearly 50 years to reach the world’s most elite starting grid.
In order to reach her destination, she will require a combination of physical and mental abilities, determination, luck, and money. A large amount of it.
No need to feel pressured.
“Standing outside the Nissan Formula E team garage at Circuito del Jarama in Madrid, Pulling admits to feeling a strong sense of being watched as she topped the timesheets in an all-female testing session.”
I believe that individuals hold certain expectations of me. I simply ignore them and concentrate on the task at hand. An Abbi who is joyful moves quickly.
This strategy appears to have been successful for her in the current year.
Pulling is currently ahead in the F1 Academy Championship by 95 points with two races remaining, and she also achieved a historic milestone in May by becoming the first female to win a British F4 race. Due to multiple conflicts with the F1 Academy calendar, she placed seventh in the final standings for Rodin Motorsport.
“I wanted to be able to secure that victory,” she explains. “It was incredibly unique and demonstrated that regardless of my opponent, I am capable of competing at the forefront.”
Despite achieving a positive sixth place in the 2020 British F4 Championship, Pulling had to withdraw the next year due to insufficient financial backing.
Coming back to the competition this year with the required financial backing and experiencing success is a mix of emotions.
She says she has been given the cards she was given.
‘It has turned into a club for billionaires.’
Pulling, like numerous drivers, states that the primary obstacle to her advancement is ensuring a consistent income and acquiring sponsors.
Despite the increased exposure provided by the F1 Academy through races held during F1 grands prix and aired live on Sky, Pulling notes that advancements in obtaining financial support have not seen equal growth.
“It’s difficult to attain, but I’m not the only one facing challenges,” she mentions, pointing out that a lot of male drivers also struggle to advance due to financial constraints.
“It is increasingly turning into a exclusive group for billionaires and I find it quite disheartening.” I believe that emphasizing money ultimately ignores talent. would be completely shocked
Pulling remains content with her current path, despite facing financial challenges, and highlights the increased opportunities now available for women.
This consists of the F1 Academy, the FIA Girls on Track program, the all-women endurance racing team Iron Dames, and Formula E pledging to provide testing chances for women.
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