We hit the track with the F1 Academy for qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. We are in Jeddah, on the circuit that hosts the first stage of 7 of the female category. Qualifying, which will determine the grids for Race 1 and Race 2, resulted in pole Doriane Pin. Followed by Abbi Pulling and Maya Weug.
F1 academy qualifications: the change of regulations for 2024 and the two starting grids
For 2024 the regulation has changed. There is, in fact, one less race. The race with the reversed grid disappears, so qualifying lasts approximately an hour where the first half hour determines the starting grid for Race 1, while the remaining half hour determines that of Race 2, with the second best times every pilot. Let's now see how they went and who will start on the front row for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
We see the Frenchwoman on pole for Race 1 Dorian Pin which with the Mercedes and Prema team livery leaves no room for improvement for the other drivers. He had the best time for both races. Furthermore, the French rider, already with experience in endurance racing, has been defined as the great revelation of the WEC.
Almost 1 second away, +0.785 the driver chosen by Alpine: Abbi Pulling. The only one who comes close to the polewoman under second. The second row is occupied by Maya weug Ferrari livery and the Spanish Nerea Marti who drives the Tommy Hilfiger-branded single-seater.
A difficult track as a debut for the female riders where it is important to orient the front and who, with only 40 minutes of free practice, had to expertly reinvent the perfect lap.
Bianca Bustamante, a veteran of a second year in the F1 Academy, managed to grab only 5th position. Difficulties also for the pilots and sisters Al Qubaisi finishing 13th and 15th. Lola Lovinfosse, considered experienced with two years in the W Series, is 6th.
In the top 10, listed next, too Jessica Edgar running the first race with the F1 Academy livery. She is the last driver to have won the category last year in Austin, the last race of the 2023 season.
Second half hour of qualifying
Even in the second half hour, Doriane Pin's dominance is evident. He also took the second pole of Race 2.
Bianca Bustamante and Chloe Chambers investigated for impeding. The debut of the daughter of Lia Block was exceptional, for the first time in the F1 academy, who was at the top in free practice, but here 7th. The top 3 of Race 2 remains unchanged with Abbi Pulling and Maya Weug.
Thu it is possible to see the results of the entire Free Practice grid.
The top 10 qualifying in Jeddah
- Dorian Pin
- Abbi Pulling
- Maya weug
- Nerea Marti
- Bianca Bustamante
- Lola Lovinfosse
- Lia Block
- Chloe Chambers
- Aurelia Nobels
- Jessica Edgar
Upcoming F1 Academy events
Friday 8 March at 13pm Race 05
Saturday March 9 at 13pm Race 00
Il next GP will be in Miami from May 3rd to 5th.
