Abbi Pulling could be crowned F1 Academy champion in Qatar

Abbi Pulling insists she will not be getting ahead of herself despite being on the verge of lifting the F1 Academy title.

The Gosberton driver could take the championship this weekend in Qatar in the penultimate round of the series.

She has a commanding 95-point lead over second-placed Doriane Pin and needs just 18 more points from across the remaining four races to take the title.

Pulling said: "I'm in a great position in the standings and I've got one hand on the trophy at this point but I'm not getting ahead of myself.

"I'm keeping myself grounded but this weekend can't come around soon enough to be honest.

"I just want to get into the weekend as soon as possible.

"I want to win the drivers' title and we're in a good position to do that but also whatever happens in Qatar happens.

"I won't back down. I'm still going to be trying to go for race wins no matter what because I want to give the team the best possible chance of taking both titles at the end of the season."

It has been a fantastic campaign for Pulling who is a former pupil of the Bourne Academy and drives for Alpine in F1 Academy.

She has recorded seven wins, gained three other podium finishes and also had a clean sweep of victories over four race weekends.

The 21-year-old has held pole position in the championship since the end of the opening round in what has been her second season in F1 Academy.

She added: "I've really enjoyed it and I think I've been a bit of a team leader with it being my second year.

"It's been a pleasure to help the team in the margins in the setup and in the driving, seeing where we can push that extra little bit or where we will find a little bit of extra time trying different things.

"That's some of the things in racing and what I've actually enjoyed the most this year is just figuring it out.

"Being adaptable I think is the biggest strength for a racing driver and this year I think that's been something I've really nailed and I'm quite proud of myself for that."

The title triumph will move Pulling into the GB3 Championship next year with her Rodin Motorsport team.

She represented the New Zealand outfit this year in the Formula 4 Championship where she became the first female race winner in the series.

Pulling added: "To be crowned champion would just be incredible.

"All the years of hard work are paying off and all the opportunities being made are worthwhile.

"It's all thanks to everyone that has helped me along the way. There are a lot of different people in my corner and I can't thank them enough.

"We’ve got to get to the end of the season first and see what happens.

"I've gone into too many Christmases not knowing what I'm doing the next season, so I'm as hungry as ever to make sure I secure the top step and make my winter a little less stressful."

After this weekend's racing, the F1 Academy season concludes in the United Arab Emirates from December 6-8.