Five F1 ACADEMY drivers to race in Round 6 of F4 British Championship in historic weekend for female representation

History is set to be made at ROKiT British F4 certified by the FIA this weekend as eight female drivers, including five current F1 ACADEMY drivers, line up on the grid, marking the highest-ever level of female participation in the Championship.

F1 ACADEMY drivers Bianca Bustamante, Jessica Edgar, Aurelia Nobels, Carrie Schreiner and Abbi Pulling will all take part in Round 6 of the season at Circuit Zandvoort (13-14 July).

Bustamante, Nobles and Edgar will get behind the wheel of a British F4 car for the first time in Zandvoort alongside Schreiner, who is joining the grid for a second time after making her debut in Round 5 at Silverstone. Meanwhile Pulling, who is running a dual campaign in British F4 alongside F1 ACADEMY, recently became the first woman to win a British F4 race.

Together with British F4 drivers Ella Lloyd, Nina Gademan, and F1 ACADEMY alumni Chloe Chong, the five current F1 ACADEMY drivers bring female representation on the grid up to 29%, a historic high.

The ability for F1 ACADEMY drivers to participate in additional race weekends in other championships underlines F1 ACADEMY’s commitment to preparing drivers for a higher level of competition and supporting their progress up the single-seater ladder.

Delphine Biscaye, F1 ACADEMY Competition Manager said: “This weekend marks a significant moment for female representation at the F4 level, but also allows the F1 ACADEMY drivers the opportunity to gain valuable experience in preparation for our upcoming fourth round at Circuit Zandvoort. We know that track time is incredibly important for drivers at this level and allowing them to attend race weekends of other championships will help them prepare for the next step on their journey to elite motorsport.”

Eve Lake-Grange, ROKiT British F4 Championship Manager added: “We are extremely pleased to have eight female drivers on our ROKiT British F4 grid this weekend at Zandvoort. It is incredible to see the increasing number of females joining our championship and we are proud to be a part of this historic weekend. All of these women have bright futures ahead of them within Motorsport, and we’re delighted they chose British F4 to be part of their journeys.”

Returning following her historic British F4 win at Brands Hatch earlier this season, Abbi Pulling said: “Running a dual campaign is incredibly beneficial to my performance as it keeps me sharp between races. Competing in both series with Rodin Motorsport means I've built a great relationship with them. The cars are different and require some adapting, but this experience is great for my development - the more laps the better!”

Making her Championship debut Bianca Bustamante said: “Having the opportunity to race in British F4 really helps us with the platform F1 ACADEMY has given us, were able to show on track everything we have prepared for in the F1 ACADEMY season. For me, as a junior driver, it's an amazing chance to see where I am on a mixed grid. I think it’s an amazing step that will also give me insight at the same time. I'm excited to get to work and keep striving for more improvements”.

Carrie Schreiner, who is joining the British F4 grid for the second time this season, added: “I’m really excited to be back in Zandvoort for the next round of the British F4 championship. The last time we went to Zandvoort for testing it was very wet so hoping for better weather now, it will be a great practice for the upcoming F1 ACADEMY race in August”.