F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling on flying the flag for women's racing aged 21, ambitions to become the first female on the grid in three decades, and why this Christmas has been the sweetest yet

• The British contender secured a position in the F1 Academy and got a spot for the GB3 Championship in 2025.
• She aspires to be the first female driver since Giovanna Amati in 1992 to participate in Formula One.
• Bicara menyentuh impak F1 Academy, bagaimana puan belia – Bikolah F1 Academy, kisah penglibatan kat setiap julungnan dan matlamat masa depan

Viewership of Formula One has skyrocketed due to the popularity of its "Drive to Survive" series, elevating the profiles of its top competitors.

Now, there is a breakthrough in research that suggests a significant increase in the estimated numbers of residents who are believed to be women, rising to a substantial 29 per cent - a huge jump of nearly four-fold from just 8 per cent in 2017.

Despite significant advancements during the F1 frenzy, the sport continues to have only male drivers in the field, a situation dating back to 32 years ago when Giovanna Amati competed in the 1992 season.

On July 4, 2014, Susie Wolff made history when she took the driver's seat of a Williams car during practice for the British Grand Prix, marking her as one of the five women to participate in a Formula One race weekend a decade ago.

Welcoming Abbi Pulling. The British driver has had a truly fantastic 2024, securing the F1 Academy championship title, earning a spot in next year's renowned GB3 Championship in the Rodin car, and impressively emerging victorious in a Formula E test event for Nissan.

Caught up with Pulling to ask exactly that and what she has planned next after an impressive breakthrough year.

You've had an impressive 12 months, but could you tell us what sparked your interest in motorsport in the first place? Also, what would be your advice to girls who are looking to get started in racing?

'My passion for racing began with my dad, and I feel blessed that he was involved in the motorsports scene, although his area of expertise was motorbikes at the time. Thankfully, there weren't many girls involved in racing back then, so I was a bit of a trailblazer.'

I feel privileged to have started in racing, having been one of the lucky few who was always present in the paddock. My dad's sacrifices have been invaluable, and I'm grateful to have been given these opportunities and valuable exposure.

More and more young girls are getting involved, often from families that aren't initially interested, as they're influenced by what they see on television or social media. It's wonderful to see this trend at F1 Academy, located conveniently near F1 events, showcasing the growing interest in the sport.

'I would say to the ladies out there who're interested, just go ahead, give it a try, you never know how good it is until you actually join.'

'There are numerous options available, such as visiting a karting track, participating in FIA Girls on Track, or engaging with programs like the F1 Academy's Discover Your Drive and the Alpine's (H)er program, which cater to individuals at various skill levels.'

You've been absolutely phenomenal in the F1 Academy league this season. What can we attribute your remarkable performance to?

'While this season has been phenomenal, we've had a significant turnaround following the setbacks of last year - it was a extremely challenging season.'

For us, as a team, it was a fresh tyre compound and a distinct approach to operating this car, and the first time towing the car to the racing circuit.

We actually had a challenging start but we've managed to get a head start by intensifying our efforts, my engineer and I, to get everything under control this year.

Every time we head out, I'm consistently pleased with how the vehicle is performing, reflecting positively on the work we've done.

Look, it's all about maintaining our current momentum and not getting too far ahead of ourselves. I've been reminding myself all season to stay focused, keep a level head, and don't get complacent. Whether we win or not, as long as we consistently give our best effort and everyone remains committed to our game plan, we should be proud of ourselves and happy with the outcome.

With every season nothing's been on my mind more than beating my own personal best. It's a battle against time alone, and my aim is to squeeze every last bit out of myself and whatever resources I've been given. Honestly, I'd say nine out of ten times this year I've reached my full potential.

Do competitions in female-only motorsport races contribute to its growth and exposure, or does limiting men's participation hinder its overall impact?

It's truly remarkable what's unfolding. Not only benefiting the drivers, but also serving as an inspiration to young girls who need to witness it to truly grasp its magnitude.

In the last five years, there has been a marked increase in female involvement at grassroots levels. More women are now taking part as go-karters, a crucial stepping stone that all Formula One drivers begin with today.

For a person like myself, have also allowed me to sustain my career and earn recognition as a role model to these young girls which is quite surreal.

I probably wouldn't have continued racing without the existence of championships like the Formula 1 Academy.

There are those who argue that it's unfair for F1 Academy to be so selective, but for me, it's actually had the opposite effect. Without F1 Academy, I wouldn't have been able to establish a relationship with Rodin Motorsport, and consequently, I wouldn't have linked up with Rodin Cars, who have provided valuable support during my time in British F4 this season. As a result, F1 Academy has inadvertently opened up opportunities for me to participate in mixed-class competition, which I may not have been able to afford otherwise.

'I'm truly grateful to everyone who has been involved, and that includes Alpine, Rodin as personal partners, and F1 Academy for simply being there.'

Is life behind the scenes of motorsport as thrilling as it appears from the outside?

Hensem sangatkah kehidupan dalam hamba Alerts menurut saya, mungkin beberapa gadis mungkin mendapat pengalaman yang berbeza.

It requires a lot of effort and hard work, and it can be very stressful.

My entire motor racing career has been a stressful experience, mainly due to financial concerns, heading into most Christmas seasons uncertain whether I'll be able to carry on and, if so, what the future holds in terms of a potential career progression.

That's one reason I've set my sights on winning the championship this year; as part of the championship deal, you'll get the opportunity to have a completely funded drive for the next season, which I believe would make my holiday period a significantly more pleasant one.

'Berikut adalah perkara yang saya fikir kerajaan moden perlu lakukan sekarang.'

Mengingat ramai perempuan menonton Formula Satu tetapi sukan ini masih di penguasai lelaki-laki, apakah kamu pernah merasa terintimidasi, atau kamu mengguntingannya sebagai cabaran menarik?

For myself, I didn't feel intimidated. To be honest, I lived in a state of carefree bliss without paying much attention to the situation, unaware that I was the only female and girl there who was involved in karting. My main focus was on having a great time and getting a chance to drive and improve my skills.

It was always more satisfying when I managed to defeat that group of boys, putting them in a slightly worse mood than before.

I've been fortunate to have avoided most unpleasant incidents attributed to my gender so far.

I believe you do face certain challenges with people not fully trusting your capabilities, but I have managed to prove my critics wrong and establish myself as a dedicated race driver. My goal is not just to be the fastest female, but to consistently deliver and excel at any level I compete in.

My ultimate goal is to be the best, just like any professional racing driver, regardless of their gender.

Will history repeat itself with another woman taking the wheel of a Formula One car? And could you be the one to follow in the footsteps of Susie Wolff and Tatiana Calderón?

I believe it's only a matter of when, not if, we will see a female Formula One driver. The timing is difficult to predict, and it could happen at any moment.

Of course, my dream is to be successful and to be the best, which I believe any young driver in this same shoes as I am now would strive for. I firmly believe that the ultimate goal for anyone in my position should be to reach the top of the motorsport ladder, which is F1.

'Malaysia, I really do keep my choices open - there's more to racing beyond Formula One and it's challenging for anyone to reach F1 status, even those who have achieved great results in F2 or had impressive junior careers have struggled to make the leap.'

Sometimes getting the timing right is all that makes a big difference in motorsport, it's quite challenge to achieve that.

'I'll keep striving to be the best, even if that means exploring new opportunities. Actually, I just had a fantastic experience testing in the Formula E series, so I see there's a lot more I can learn and achieve.'

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