The first F1 Academy weekend of 2024 featured two races, three safety cars, F1 drivers in the F1 Academy garages, several penalties and broadcasts available across the world. Feeder Series takes a look at what worked – and what still needs ironing out – at the first round of the season. 

By Calla Kra-Caskey

Although F1 Academy joined Formula 1 in Austin last year, the series’ full-time addition to the F1 support bill has come with massive changes. Travelling alongside F1 means drivers are forced to adapt very quickly to new tracks, including this weekend’s speedy Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The schedule was also adjusted to better fit alongside F1 and F2, which means fewer sessions.

Growing visibility

F1 Academy is physically integrated into the paddock as well. Each driver’s garage has an awning with her face and name on it. Alpine driver Abbi Pulling, returning for her second season with Rodin Motorsport, commented on the changes at the pre-weekend press conference attended by Feeder Series.

“It definitely feels bigger and better,” she said. “We had a few events last year on the DTM. There were lots of spectators, but this is next level… It felt very professional last year but it’s another step. I’m very much looking forward to being on the F1 package. 

“I’ve had the luxury of being in front of the cameras for a couple years now, being with F1, but I’m just glad that it’s able to continue with the opportunities there. We’re all getting the recognition that I think we all deserve, and the opportunity to be competing in front of such a great audience.” 

Supporting F1 certainly creates larger physical audiences, but F1 Academy is increasingly accessible online as well. Every session is broadcasted on F1 TV, with commentary by Formula E’s Nicki Shields and either Alex Brundle or Jordan King. Qualifying and races are also available live on YouTube and X, the broadcast of the first race having accrued over 250k views on the two platforms within 24 hours. 

In regard to the increased visibility, Williams Academy driver Lia Block spoke on what the publicity can do for the initiative of F1 Academy.

“Being on the same weekend as an F1 race is a very very big step up, and a very big platform for everyone, especially with the broadcasting for much more people to be able to watch,” she said.

“It’s important to do the best as possible as drivers to show other young females what is possible and how we can develop from this year and going forward, blazing the path… I’m hoping more females not just watch but get into the sport.”

Title contenders emerging

Doriane Pin sailed to the front of the pack in Jeddah, leading every session and every racing lap. However, in an odd incident, she didn’t notice the chequered flag waving at the end of the second race and was penalised for it. This subsequently dropped Pin to ninth in the results of the second race and third in the drivers’ standings. 

There to pick up the trophy was Pulling, who had a remarkably consistent – and impressive – weekend of her own. She finished second in every session, crossing the line within a second of Pin in the first race and within two seconds in the second race. Pulling is showing the form that many were expecting of her last year, where she finished the season in a surprisingly low fifth place. Although she couldn’t quite match Pin, she was able to make it through the weekend without mistakes – an impressive feat on a challenging track. 

This weekend could indicate a tight battle between Pin and Pulling for the championship. Both are competing in other series this year: Pin will wear the pink of the Iron Dames at the World Endurance Championship while Pulling will continue her partnership with Rodin in British F4. This should keep the pair’s skills sharp during the one to two month gaps between F1 Academy rounds. 

Not quite up to speed but still showing remarkable consistency across the weekend was Ferrari and Prema driver Maya Weug. She crossed the line third in both races and was promoted to second in the second race after Pin’s penalty. Weug’s Formula Regional experience from 2023 marked her as a possible title contender in preseason predictions, but she’ll have to unlock a little more pace if she wants to make a charge. In both races, she crossed the line over five seconds behind the leader. 

Showing similar pace to Weug was Nerea Martí, who finished fourth for Campos last year. Unfortunately, Martí’s first race ended on lap 11 after Lola Lovinfosse collided with her during an attempted overtake. However, in the second race, she avoided incidents and reclaimed the fourth place she lost, eventually seeing a promotion to the podium after Pin’s penalty. The points Martí scored landed her fifth in the championship standings, behind McLaren and ART Grand Prix’s Bianca Bustamante, but Martí’s pace looks strong right now. 

Rough weekends for some

Prior to the race weekend, F1 Academy drivers had three days of testing at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Nevertheless, there was still a lot of experience to be gained during the race. There were several incidents and collisions across the races, with the safety car brought out three times. 

One driver who had a bumpy weekend was Williams’ Block, who has the least singleseater experience out of anyone on the grid. She qualified a surprising seventh for the first race and ran comfortably in the points for the first 10 laps. However, on the 11th lap of the race she hit a kerb and spun into the barriers, causing her retirement. 

Block’s bad luck continued in the second race, where she was caught up in a collision between Lola Lovinfosse and Chloe Chambers. After changing her front wing, she managed to make it back into the points, but lost them again after penalties for a false start and speeding in the pit lane. She had a wild and unfortunate first F1 Academy weekend, but it’s clear that the pace is there, and she can take everything she learned to Miami in May. 

Fellow rookie Chambers – flying the Haas colours – also showed her speed despite a few collisions this weekend. She qualified eighth for the first race and made passes on Block and Bustamante to end the race in fourth. However, her second race went less than smoothly, as the American driver received multiple penalties for leaving the track and gaining an advantage as well as causing a collision with Lovinfosse. 

Rodin’s Lovinfosse also had a rollercoaster weekend. She took points in the first race, but the second race was more dramatic for her. After being spun by Chambers in Turn 1, she reentered the track directly into the side of Block’s car. This not only caused Block’s retirement, but it also caused herself to go out of the race. As a result, she will serve a five-place grid penalty at the next race she participates in. 

The chaotic second race shook up the emerging order of the championship, and the stage is set for Miami. When F1 Academy returns in two months, there will be many questions to face. How will Pin bounce back from her penalty? It’s clear that qualifying is key, so can Pulling find pole pace to increase her title lead? What will Block and Chambers do on home soil? And can the oddly-invisible MP Motorsport team find their form? 

F1 Academy returns 2-4 May in the United States. 

Header photo credit: Iron Dames