Former F1 Academy Champion Abbi Pulling Makes History at Spa

Abbi Pulling has etched her name into GB3 Championship history, becoming the first woman to secure both a pole position and a race victory in the category during a landmark weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.

The Briton first made history on Friday when she topped the opening qualifying session to become the first female driver ever to claim pole position in GB3. In an incredibly competitive session, just 0.039 seconds covered the top four drivers, with Pulling besting Rodin Motorsport teammate, Maxim Rehm, despite dealing with radio communication issues throughout qualifying.

Less than 24 hours later, she converted that breakthrough pole position into an even greater achievement.

After heavy rain disrupted the schedule at Spa, Pulling led from the front when the race eventually got underway, becoming the first woman to win a GB3 Championship race. The victory adds another milestone to a career that has already included the 2024 F1 Academy title and further strengthens her reputation as one of the most promising talents currently progressing through the junior single-seater ranks.

The result is significant not only for Pulling, but also for the wider landscape of junior formula racing. GB3 has established itself as one of Europe’s leading development championships, serving as an important stepping stone towards FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2. Pulling’s success at Spa demonstrates her ability to compete at the front of one of the continent’s most competitive junior categories.

For Pulling herself, however, the achievement is the latest reward in a journey built on steady progression. Last season, she became the first woman to stand on a GB3 podium, and after returning for a second campaign with Rodin Motorsport, her focus was clear: establishing herself as a consistent frontrunner.

Across a single weekend, Pulling claimed a historic pole position and a historic race victory, delivering a performance that will stand as a landmark moment both in her own career and in the history of the GB3 Championship.

📸 images and header image credited to Rodin Motorsport, the GB3 Championship and F1 ACADEMY limited