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Abbi Pulling will again be racing in the F1 Academy for the Rodin Motorsport team and has the backing of the Alpine Academy




Abbi Pulling is hoping to use last season's setbacks to help fuel her campaign for this year.

The Gosberton driver will again be competing in the F1 Academy where she secured a top five finish last season.

Pulling was hit by some bad luck last season but that has steeled her resolve for the new campaign which gets underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, next month.

Abbi Pulling
Abbi Pulling

She said: "I am really excited to be back with the F1 Academy.

"I am hoping to do a bit better than last year. I think sometimes we had a bit of bad luck and sometimes I made mistakes myself, so it's tidying all that up and hopefully I'll be smiling at the end of the year.

"Last year, there were a lot of things out of my control. There were also a lot of things in my control so it's about focusing on the things that you can change and how you can make yourself better, even if it's just the reaction to the things you can’t control."

Pulling produced seven podium finishes last term and also took two pole positions.

The former Bourne Academy pupil will again be racing for the Rodin Motorsport team and has the backing of the Alpine Academy.

She added: "I’ve been with them for three years now and they're so supportive.

Abbi Pulling. Photo: www.f1academy.com
Abbi Pulling. Photo: www.f1academy.com

"There are so many people behind the scenes that genuinely care about me as a person, as well as a driver.

"I'm so thankful that I;ve got that connection with them and I don't know if I'd have that anywhere else.

"When I initially became a junior driver, it added a bit of pressure. I wanted to get the results and impress but, at the end of the day, it’s the process and focusing on the controllables, the things you can do and making the most out of every situation.

"So, I think as long as I’m reacting positively and putting the work in, everything else should come."

Four months on since the 2023 season finale in Austin, Pulling is hungrier than ever to get back behind the wheel.

Although her previous experience around four of the venues this season will give her an initial advantage over most of the field, she's not underestimating the careful balancing act needed to manage the various demands throughout each circuit.

Pulling commented: "The winter break has been pretty long for me.

"It's been a lot of simulator work with the team and also training. It's been quite intense.

"It’s been a lot of days at Rodin Motorsport, especially putting in the time on the simulator.

"We’re going to Jeddah first which is a new circuit and a very hard circuit for a first race. It's a very fun circuit as well and I think that will test a lot of us."

Although naturally keen to shine a second time around, Pulling is refusing to be drawn into specific target setting.

Learning from her experiences last season, the Briton is looking to build stability with important points hauls – alongside that highly sought-after maiden win.

She added: "I'm very guilty of putting too much pressure on myself and setting my expectations quite high.

"I think I'm capable of getting results, but sometimes I might overthink it.

"In the first half of the season, I'm just aiming to be consistent and be there or thereabouts in every race.

"Hopefully, by halfway through the season I'll be getting those wins and bringing home some big points. That’s the aim and I think just keeping it as consistent as possible is a big thing."

Pulling will also be racing for Rodin Motorsport in British Formula Four this season with the opening meeting at Donington Park at the end of April.



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