W Series driver Abbi Pulling is selected to take part in Formula 3 test
Gosberton’s Abbi Pulling is relishing the challenge of taking part in a Formula 3 test.
Pulling is one of the youngest stars of the W Series who have been selected to take part in the initiative at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, France, next weekend.
The 19-year-old will be joined by Tereza Babickova and Chloe Chambers for a full day of testing with two cars on track per day.
The aim is to introduce the drivers to the category, its car, and different set-ups, along with the demands and challenges of its environment.
Pulling said: “I am very excited to test the F3 car around Magny-Cours and I am very grateful for this opportunity given to me.
“I hope to make the most out of the day and understand further what it will take to get to the next step and where I aim to hopefully compete one day.
“To get the chance to drive this kind of machinery means a lot to me and I am expecting it to be very different to what I am used to driving.
“However, I am looking forward to the challenge and trust that I will get the support I need from the team to adapt and learn as much as possible.”
Pulling – who is fourth in the 2022 W Series championship standings and joined the Alpine F1 Team’s Academy and Affiliate programme earlier this year – will take the wheel on day one when she will be joined by Formula 4 and Formula Regional driver Hamda Al Qubaisi.
W Series racing director Dave Ryan explained: “Our aim at W Series is to equip our drivers with the skills they need, both on and off track, to be the best they can be.
“This announcement that three of our youngest drivers will each get a full day’s testing in an F3 car is proof that we are succeeding.
“Their futures are very bright, and this test is a natural next step in their development.
“All of them have taken everything in their stride in their W Series careers to-date, and I know they will make the most of this fantastic opportunity.”
Formula 3 chief executive officer Bruno Michel continued: “It’s very important to us to ensure that more and more female drivers join our championship. Diversity is one of our key discussions regarding the future of motorsport.
“We initiated these dedicated F3 tests last year, with Nerea Martí, Doriane Pin, Irina Sidorkova and Maya Weug, who all said how beneficial this one-day test had been to their understanding of the demands of our championship.
“We selected four new drivers for this year, as we follow closely not only the W Series, but also female drivers in other categories.
“The purpose of this test is not to compare their performance, but it is an opportunity for them to understand what is required from an F3 driver from every aspect, so that they can prepare for the challenges when they progress to our championship, hopefully in the near future.”
The W Series season will resume at Singapore over the weekend of September 30-October 2.
