Abbi Pulling returns to Rodin Carlin for double F1 Academy and British F4 campaign

Alpine Academy's Abbi Pulling is set to return for her second campaign in F1 Academy, representing BWT Alpine F1 Team and retaining the Rodin Carlin seat. As part of the British F4 championship winning team, Pulling will also contest a double programme in the ROKiT F4 British Championship.

Photo credits: Alpine Academy

Abbi Pulling became the fourth driver to be confirmed for the 2024 F1 Academy season and will be the second returning driver, as she retains the seat with Rodin Carlin. As part of the Alpine Academy, Pulling will represent the Alpine F1 Team in the all female championship, as required by the new format that will see all F1 teams being involved in the series' sophomore campaign.

Pulling will therefore enter her second season in F1 Academy after completing the inaugural year fifth in the championship standings, thanks to a positive run that included seven podiums, two pole positions and four fastest laps.

The 20 year old British racer entered the season as one of the title favourites and indeed her speed allowed her to battle at the front for most of the rounds, although a series of misfortunes prevented the Alpine junior from ultimately battling for the championship entering the final round.

She will have another chance in 2024, as the driver mentored by Alice Powell is set to head into her second campaign with knowledge of the car and the team, having retained a spot at Rodin Carlin.

“I am so pleased that both Abbi and Alpine have put their faith in the team again for the 2024 season. Abbi is a delight to work with and her speed behind the wheel and general work ethic is fantastic", commented Team Principal Stephanie Carlin. "Not only that, she’s a fantastic role model for other women in motorsport."

Pulling will be entering her third year as part of the Alpine driver development programme and her second as part of the Alpine Academy, confirming the Enstone-based team's commitment in supporting female talent within the team, both in F1 Academy as well as in other championships through its groundbreaking Rac(H)er programme.

“I am very grateful to be coming back for another year as an Alpine Academy driver, and I am honoured that BWT Alpine F1 Team are entrusting me as their driver selection for the 2024 F1 Academy season", Pulling said.

"I am looking forward to competing in the F1 Academy series for a second season and to be racing with Rodin Carlin again. I’m hoping to have a successful year and bring in some good results for the team."

The series will embark on its first full season as part of the F1 support bill, having first run in conjunction with its parent championship at the latest F1 US Grand Prix in Austin.

Pulling is no stranger to the F1 environment either, having competed in one and a half seasons in W Series, in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

At her step up to W Series, Pulling impressed with an outstanding debut mid-way through the season that saw the British driver claiming a maiden pole position and podium, securing seventh in the championship and a reserved spot on the following season's grid despite contesting only half a season. In 2022, Pulling would claim two more podiums and eventually finished fourth in the points.

Abbi thus continues her single seater journey in F1 Academy - and she will have an extra busy schedule as her Rodin Carlin deal also includes a double program in the ROKiT British F4 Championship, where Pulling returns after last racing in 2021.

“It’s also going to be really great to be head back to the British F4 Championship there’s certainly some unfinished business there and I’m pleased to be able to race in such a brilliant championship with Rodin Carlin where they have such a great history – I think we’re in for a great year together!” - Pulling explained.

The two championships run the same car - although with slightly different specifications and rules - which will allow Pulling to maximise her time in the car and better prepare for both campaigns. Abbi made her car racing debut in the British series in 2020, where she immediately established herself as one of the most exciting talents in Europe.

Her first podium in single seaters came as soon as on her second weekend at Brands Hatch, and she would step three more times on the rostrum, just missing out on her first win. Returning to the series in 2021, she scored three more podiums before having to halt her program after the summer break due to a lack of funding, before being picked up by W Series.

By racing in a dual schedule, in both the all-female championship on the F1 package as well as British F4 on the TOCA package, Abbi will visit both new and known circuits, as she continues to advance on the formula ladder. "We’re pushing hard for 2024, and I think we have an exciting year lined up", she continued. "We’re going to quite a few unknown tracks such as Jeddah and Qatar [in F1 Academy] so the limited track time prior to the new events will be a good challenge together as a team. I’m honoured to be representing Alpine for another season in the F1 Academy and thank them for their continued support with my development."

Rodin Carlin is the current team champion in the British-based F4 series.

Photo by: Rodin Carlin