RACE 1: Pulling claims record-breaking eighth win in Yas Marina after Lap 1 drama for Chambers

Abbi Pulling stormed to her eighth win of the 2024 F1 ACADEMY season by 4.5s, despite losing out on the lead off the line.

Haas’ Chloe Chambers had a dream start from the front row of the grid to take an early lead, but was spun off on the first lap in a dramatic turn of events to hand first place back to the Champion.

Hamda Al Qubaisi was promoted into second, and would hold this position from a determined Doriane Pin in the final stages of the race. Pin, who started from fifth, tried her best to pass the Red Bull Racing- supported car of Al Qubaisi, but she was no match for the Emirati driver’s defensive masterclass at her home circuit.

It was a stellar launch from Chambers once the lights went out, as she took the lead from Pulling in the first few metres. She was well ahead by Turn 1, leading the grid away. However, she wouldn't hold it for long, spinning off on to the run-off at Turn 9 and handing the lead over to Pulling.

Demoted to the back of the field, the American driver then rejoining in an unsafe manner, resulting in a 5-second time penalty.

Out front, Pulling kept her cool, comfortably in first place. Hamda Al Qubaisi was now promoted up to second, with MP Motorsport teammate Emely De Heus in third after the Dutch driver made up two positions off the line.

By Lap 3, Pin was into third after making a stunning move on De Heus. Now in a podium position, her next target was Hamda Al Qubaisi ahead as she started to bank fastest laps.

Elsewhere, there was a battle for the final points position. The first fight came from Tina Hausmann and Lola Lovinfosse, but the two made contact as they entered the braking zone. Hausmann was given a 10-second penalty for the incident, which was added to another 5-second penalty she received for leaving the track and gaining an advantage at the start of the race.

Chambers and Aurelia Nobels watched this unfold in front of them, but soon the Charlotte Tilbury racer of Lovinfosse got sent into a spin after tapping Chambers who was on an intense comeback drive. Lia Block also caught up to the pack after a slow start, with Hausmann having to defend from Chambers, Nobels and the Williams of Block for 10th place on the track across Lap 8.

There was also a brilliant battle for sixth between Nerea Martí and Ferrari's Maya Weug in the final stages of the race. Weug was almost on the gearbox of the Tommy Hilfiger car, and they ended up side-by-side as they entered Turn 9 but it was still Martí who remained ahead. Meanwhile, RB driver Amna Al Qubaisi had caught up with Carrie Schreiner close behind in the four-car train.

Up ahead, Pin locked in more fastest laps as she hunted down Hamda Al Qubaisi, closing the gap to 0.290s by the penultimate lap. Despite Pin’s best efforts to force her into a mistake, the Emirati delivered a masterclass of defending as she held track position to stay in second.

Pulling was able to distance herself from the battle behind, and by the final gap had created a gap that was 4.5 seconds. The 2024 Champion held that impressive lead by the time she reached the chequered flag, with Al Qubaisi taking second and Pin recovering from fifth on the grid to take the podium slot.

Red Bull Ford’s De Heus took her best result of the season to claim fourth place, with Bianca Bustamante having a clean race to bring her McLaren-liveried car home in fifth. Martí managed to hold onto sixth in a dash to the line, with Weug seventh, and Amna Al Qubaisi finishing eighth.

Schreiner was promoted to ninth, after Chambers' 5-second time penalty relegated her from P9 to P11 and Nobels claimed the final points-paying positions after Hausmann's 15-seconds-worth of penalties dropped her out of the top 10.

WHAT'S NEXT?

It's time to rest and reset before Race 2 this evening. Pulling will once again set off from pole when the lights go out at 20:15 local time.