Abbi Pulling’s dominant campaign in this year’s all-female F1 Academy championship has reignited discussions about the prospect of a female driver reaching Formula 1.
While her victory marks a significant milestone in her career, Pulling herself offers a pragmatic perspective on the challenges and realities that lie ahead, for herself as well as for all female competitors.
The 21-year-old Alpine junior, who has secured a fully-funded seat with Rodin Motorsport in GB3 next season, acknowledges the long road to motorsport’s elite but remains firmly focused on that ultimate goal, believing that time and development are on her side.
However, while the recent trend in F1 has seen drivers often in their late teens or early 20s making the leap to the top tier, Pulling offers a different outlook on a potential female entry into Formula 1.
"I'm still aiming to get to Formula 1 and I think if we see a female there, we won't have a 17-year-old Max Verstappen-esque kind of entry," she told Reuters after her recent coronation in Abu Dhabi.
Pulling’s reasoning is rooted in her realistic assessment of the physical demands of driving high-performance racing cars, particularly in the junior categories.
"A 16-year-old girl wouldn't be strong enough to drive a Formula 2 car. That's the harsh reality,” she added.
"(For) a more mature, more developed female build it will be more possible to drive that car and fight for an opportunity to get to Formula 1.
"When, not if, we see a woman in Formula 1, it will be older -- mid-20s, I would say."
Beyond the physical aspect, Pulling addresses the significant financial barriers that hinder many aspiring racers, particularly women. She points out the vast resources typically invested in young male drivers’ careers from an early age.
"They (boys) start testing at 14 all around the country and Europe -- then they do Italian, German and UAE F4, which alone is a million, and that's when they're 15 or 16," she explained.
"They do that for two years... then they go into FRECA (Formula Regional Europe) or GB3 or sometimes both. Then they do 30-40 test days in that regard. If I could afford to do that, yeah, I'd do that and continue against the guys.
"Unfortunately, in my situation, I can't do that.”
This financial disparity is what makes initiatives like F1 Academy so crucial according to Pulling.
“That's where F1 Academy has been so important,” she said. "It shouldn't be needed, but it is needed. That's the sad reality.
“I hope it stays around for a very long time and keeps giving opportunities to girls that are in my position and can't get through without it."
She further acknowledged the role of the W Series, which provided her with a platform to continue racing when financial constraints threatened to derail her career.
“Without those two championships, I wouldn't be here today,” she stated emphatically. “That's definite... so for that, I'm forever thankful and it's kept my dream alive.”
Lella Lombardi - seen here at the 1975 Spanish GP - remains the most recent woman to have raced in an F1 Grand Prix (©X)
Despite the obstacles, Pulling remains optimistic about the future of women in motorsport. She notes the growing number of girls entering karting and the increasing popularity of Formula 1, fueled in part by initiatives like the Netflix docu-series ‘Drive to Survive’.
“Now it's such a positive time to be a female in the sport,” she said.
“As long as I perform, I'm confident that with the support system around me, I'll be able to continue up the ladder.”
Pulling's journey is a testament to her talent and resilience, and her insights offer a valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of women in motorsport.
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