F1 Academy: Abbi Pulling sets the pace in Zandvoort FP1

Abbi Pulling led the first F1 Academy practice session at Zandvoort, topping the timesheets in mixed weather conditions ahead of Doriane Pin and Bianca Bustamante, as the all-female championship resumed after a two-month break.

Alpine Academy driver and current championship leader Abbi Pulling led the opening practice session of the F1 Academy series at Zandvoort, as the all-female championship kicked off its fourth round of the season.

In a mixed weather session, Pulling set the pace midway through and ended three-tenths clear of Doriane Pin, despite several drivers alternating in the top five, including a strong showing from Hamda Al Qubaisi.

After a two-month break since the previous race in Barcelona, the F1 Academy returned to action at Zandvoort for the second and final leg of its European season. During the break, several of the current drivers participated in a historic British F4 round on the same circuit, which saw a world record number of 8 female racers in a mixed-gender F4 championship -

with others entering select races of Spanish F4 to stay race-ready.

The weekend also features three home drivers—Emely de Heus, Nina Gademan, and Maya Weug: Gademan, a British F4 regular, is entered as a wildcard, marking Prema's third four-car entry this year, following Jeddah and Miami.

Hamda Al Qubaisi, dominant at Zandvoort last year, aims to recapture that form, while Chloe Chambers, fresh off a win in Spain, seeks to maintain her momentum as she sits tied for second in the standings. Carrie Schreiner also returns to Zandvoort, where she claimed her first single-seater win last year.

The weekend's first practice session was held under cloudy and windy conditions, with a dry track following earlier rain in the morning. Zandvoort's technical and physically demanding circuit, known for its unique banked corners and fast, undulating sections, often makes overtaking a challenge, making qualifying often crucial.

Lia Block was the first to post a lap time, followed by ART teammates Bianca Bustamante and Aurelia Nobels. Bustamante was the first to dip under the 1:40 mark before a minor lock-up and spin at Turn 1, from which she recovered without getting stranded in the gravel.

MP Motorsport’s Emely de Heus, along with Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi, set their first timed laps in the 1:39 range as well, with times dropping 20 minutes into the session. Hamda briefly led with a 1:39.266 before being topped by De Heus, who was one-tenth faster. Hamda responded with a 1:38.400, lowering the benchmark by a significant seven-tenths, as Schreiner moved up to third.

Pulling’s first flying lap placed her fifth, with Chloe Chambers moving into second. However, Pulling soon claimed the lead with a 1:38.172, besting Al Qubaisi’s time by two-tenths with 15 minutes remaining. Nerea Marti joined the front group, with six drivers within one second of each other. Light rain began to fall in the closing stages, but that didn't stop Carrie Schreiner to improve her time, moving into third, before being overtaken by Doriane Pin.

Home racer Gademan put in a strong lap to take fifth, as positions continued to shuffle in the final ten minutes. Pin's 1:38.370 moved her up to second, while Hamda Al Qubaisi remained in the pits in this second half of the session. Bustamante also improved to third, with Weug, Marti, Gademan, and De Heus all setting personal bests. The Dutchwoman racing in Red Bull colours ran wide at Turn 1 but rejoined the track without issue.

As the rain intensified, however, the track became too slippery for further improvements. Edgar had a moment at Turn 1 but kept it on track, and most drivers returned to the pits, with only Pulling and Gademan venturing out for exploratory laps on wet tyres.

Rodin Motorsport's Abbi Pulling ended the session on top, ahead of championship rival Doriane Pin and Bianca Bustamante, with Hamda Al Qubaisi close behind in fourth.

Maya Weug secured fifth just before the rain, followed by Nerea Marti and Nina Gademan, who impressed as a wildcard entry. Emely de Heus, Jessica Edgar, and Carrie Schreiner rounded out the top ten.

After running among the leaders early on, Chloe Chambers finished 11th, ahead of compatriot Lia Block in 12th. Amna Al Qubaisi was 13th, followed by Tina Hausmann, Aurelia Nobels, and Lola Lovinfosse.

The first 40 minutes of the weekend indicated that many drivers could contend for top positions, and the weather—always unpredictable in the Netherlands—could play a crucial role. All five teams placed at least one car in the top six, suggesting a closely fought round at the Dutch GP.

The second practice session is scheduled for later today, Friday, August 23rd, at 17:30 local time.