La F1 Academy begins Miami Grand Prix celebrating women on the circuit, accompanied by the announcement of the TV series which will air on Netflix. The protagonist of Miami is definitely Abbi Pulling who, with pole in both races, also took home two victories. On the podium with her, unexpectedly, too Bianca busily.
F1 Academy weekend, how qualifying went
Like any self-respecting Grand Prix, after the two free practices on Friday, qualifying takes place which will determine the starting grid times for Race 1 and Race 2.
The Miami circuit certainly did not expect to host races that would have raised the British flag and yet both with Formula 1 - with Lando Norris - and the F1 Academy with Abbi Pulling it caused emotions to the tune of a different anthem, that of Great Britain .
Le qualifications of the women's category were won by the Englishman Abbi Pulling two poles, one for Race 1 and the other for Race 2. The two best times, in fact, belong to the driver Alpine that runs for Rodin. Already winner of Race 2 in the first inaugural Grand Prix in 2024 – in Saudi Arabia – she leaves no escape from what, if we were in a famous TV series, would be defined as "the diamond of the season“. In fact, those who were able to enjoy the first stage in Jeddah know well that the favorite could have been the Frenchwoman Doriane Pin. In Jeddah you took two poles and two victories, only to then give up the victory to the British due to an unlucky one event's audience.
Bianca on the qualifying podium for Race 2 in Miami
This time, however, Doriane – Mercedes driver and Prema team – can only chase the Pulling car. Completing the Race 1 podium is Chloe Chambers, who didn't seem particularly fit in Jeddah but who, aboard her Campos, immediately regained her ideal pace.
Although the category allows two shots with two times to make up for small mistakes, this was not exploited to the fullest by the transalpine with the Mercedes emblem who, as we have said, follows Rodin also for Race 2. However, unlike Race 1, here the podium an unexpected Bianca Bustamante concludes it with papaya orange printed on her overalls and livery. In her second season with the academy, Bianca didn't get off to a great start in Jeddah, disappointing the fans' expectations. Driver number 16 – like her favorite F1 driver, as she often said – was in fact the first to be confirmed for the 2024 season.
Race 1, the Union Jack is waving
Race 1 during the weekend in Miami it was formally the second victory of Pulling, but the first time he pilots it Alpine-Rodin you see yourself crossing the finish line with only the mild Florida breeze in front of you. This time he clearly beats the Frenchwoman, remaining championship leader gaining 25 points to add to the 2 pole positions.
The second step is, therefore, for Pin - Prema's tip - then followed by Chloe Chambers that runs for Farmlands with coat of arms Haas. Fourth place is occupied by Maya Weug, also wearing a blue tracksuit like her Ferrari colleagues in the top category. She placed fourth which she had to abandon due to an irregular overtaking in Al Qubaisi which cost her 5” penalty, arriving in 6th place. Nerea Martì and Hamda Al Quibaisi thus rise to fourth and fifth respectively.
If we look at seventh position, it was also the victim of changes due to penalties. Bianca Bustamante, in fact, having formally arrived during the week, gives it to Jessica Edgar followed by Amna. For the Filipino she is in 9th position, frustrating an excellent comeback after having shut down the engine of her car at the start and taking a penalty for having crossed the track in an attempt to recover.
Points area completed by Charlotte Tilbury driver Lola Lovinfosse, also here thanks to the relegation of the second Ferrari Driver Academy driver with Tommy Hilfiger livery, finishing 13th after a 10" penalty.
Over the weekend in Miami, a riot of British colours: God Save The King is also sung for Race 2
Third success in four races for the championship leader who gained 99 points in the standings, becoming the undisputed protagonist of the 2024 Miami Grand Prix.
As for Race 1, also for the second race, Abbi did not ruin the pole position earned on Saturday, maximizing every minute of competition number 2. The only hitch would have come from Bianca who tried everything at the start, finding a small step to go from 3rd to 1st. Failing to do so, the Filipina took second position, maintaining it until the last lap despite Pin's attacks, scoring her first podium of the season.
In fourth position, off the podium, Chloe Chambers leaves behind the brawl between Maya Weug and Hamda Al Qubaisi, which sees the blonde from Ferrari triumph.
Completing the top 10 we have Nerea Martì, who makes up for her horrible and unfortunate start very well, Nerea Martì, Amna, Carrie Schreiner and Emely De Heus.
Thu the complete championship standings at the second stage.
Next appointment with the F1 Academy
The F1 Academy returns with the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on the Montmelò circuit.
The weekend will be from 21st to 23rd June, the times are still to be decided so, to find out where and when to see it, check our place with our timely update at each GP.
