From Pulling’s make-or-break season to Block’s on-track transformation – 5 standout moments from F1: The Academy on Netflix

It’s finally here – F1: The Academy has hit screens on Netflix and there’s no shortage of must-see moments for you to enjoy.

Check out our picks for the five moments that will have you tuning in. Fair warning, there are spoilers ahead…

Redemption day for Bustamante in Miami

From the outset of Episode 1, Bianca Bustamante is here to show what she’s capable of but events quickly unravel on the streets of Miami. Qualifying fourth for Race 1, the McLaren driver has the podium and a potential victory in her sights.

However, a stall at the start costs her any shot at glory. In heartbreaking scenes, Bustamante is raw and vulnerable as her disappointment in herself and letting her ART Grand Prix team down spills out.

Picking herself back up, Bustamante states: “Tomorrow is a new day and you’ve got to get over it”. Bolstered by a nothing-to-lose mentality and a pep talk from coach Warren Hughes, she holds off Doriane Pin to turn her weekend around with a P2 finish in Race 2.

No second chances for Pulling

Entering her second year of F1 ACADEMY, Abbi Pulling knew that she had one last chance to keep her racing dream alive. Realistic about the costs of racing and with a fully-funded seat in the next stage on the Road to F1 for the Champion, the Briton admits she doesn’t know what her future will hold if she doesn’t win.

Across Episodes 2 and 3, Pulling takes her brief opportunities away from the track to spend time with her family. Reuniting with her dad and grandad, the three reflect on the hard work and sacrifices they had put in to get her to where she is now.

READ MORE: F1: THE ACADEMY EPISODE GUIDE: What to expect from the seven-episode docuseries?

A heartfelt moment sees the Alpine driver commemorate her grandma, who passed away before the start of the 2024 season. Whilst she might not be there in person, Pulling knows she’s there in spirit as she brings her along for the ride.

Hamda putting the past behind her

One of the biggest battles of Hamda Al Qubaisi’s career took place before the cameras even started rolling. A crash at the season finale of the 2023 F4 UAE Championship saw her hit the wall and break her radius, resulting in a five-hour long surgery.

Although her belief that she would never drive again didn’t materialise, the incident continues to plague her mind across Episode 3, aptly titled ‘No More Mrs Nice Guy’. Left overly cautious by the incident, the Emirati driver has to get out of her comfort zone. Fortunately, her sister Amna is on hand to give her some words of wisdom, advising her younger sister to channel some of her own aggressiveness on track.

Block scrapping everything and starting over

Lia Block’s decision to go from a title-winning rally star to starting afresh in single-seaters in F1 ACADEMY caught many by surprise. Carrying her last name with pride and the legacy of her rally legend father Ken Block, the then 17-year-old is determined to carve out her own path for herself in motorsport.

From the outset, the series charts her uphill battle as the Williams-backed driver adjusts to a completely new driving style. Episode 4 sees her return to the family’s ranch back in Utah. Whilst cataloguing memorabilia from her dad’s career alongside her mum Lucy, Block remains hard on herself as she weighs up whether to commit to her new journey in single-seaters or return to the familiarity of rallying.

READ MORE: Career Spotlight: Catch-up with Lucy Gould, Mechanic at Rodin Motorsport in Formula 2

Fortunately, her breakthrough moment isn’t far away as her back-to-back P4 results in Qualifying and both races in Singapore give Block a moment to contemplate how far she’s come.

Don’t get the hump

Amongst all the on-track action and touching scenes, there are plenty of light-hearted moments that will make you laugh and welcome you into the bonds that bind the field together, even as their competitive spirit remains strong.

From a spot of archery tag in Episode 4 to Block’s 18th birthday celebrations in Singapore, fans get a chance to see the drivers relax away from the track – whilst Pulling finds her own way to make a splash (literally) by jumping into the pool. Meanwhile, Episode 7 sees the drivers enjoy some cultural immersion as Amna Al Qubaisi invites the field on a camel ride in the desert, which sees some funny hijinks ensue.

F1: The Academy is available to watch on Netflix now.