F1 Academy is back: What can we expect from Qatar?

Written By El Box de Julz .

As we enter the last two weeks of Formula 1, so does F1 Academy. After months of intense racing, we’re down to the wire, and the fight for the championship is reaching its peak. It’s been a great season so far, and these last two rounds are set to bring all the excitement and action we’ve come to love from this series.


This weekend, the F1 Academy joins F1 and F2 at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar, setting the stage for a decisive showdown between Abbi Pulling and Doriane Pin. The circuit is known for its physical demands, with high-speed straights and corners that put drivers under intense G-forces. It offers a perfect mix of challenges: long straights for high-speed overtaking opportunities and sharp corners where precision is key.

Photo from Promo Racing: https://www.promoracing.it/en/circuito.9/losail-international-circuit-doha

Key Highlights from Free Practice Sessions

In the two Free Practice sessions that took place this friday, the stage was set for an exciting battle at the top:

Free Practice 1 (FP1):

  • Doriane Pin (Mercedes) set the pace with a 1:56.654, leading the session.

  • Abbi Pulling (Alpine) followed closely in P2, bouncing back from earlier car issues that had limited her track time, securing the second-fastest lap just under three-tenths off Pin.

  • Maya Weug (Ferrari) rounded out the podium, finishing just 0.003 seconds behind Abbi.

Free Practice 2 (FP2):

  • Pin dominated again, topping the session with 1:54.794, reinforcing her title possibilities.

  • Pulling kept within striking distance, once more securing P2. She closed the gap to just 0.101 seconds, showing her consistency.

  • Alisha Palmowski, the Wild Card driver, was a huge surprise, finishing in P3, just 0.142 seconds off Pin’s pace.

Drivers to Watch

Abbi Pulling: She is the championship leader with a 95-point advantage. With seven wins and a podium finish in every race, she is positioned to win the title.

Doriane Pin: Despite Pulling's dominance, Pin is not backing down. Her consecutive fastest times in both practice sessions demonstrate her focus and readiness to close the gap. She remains a fierce contender for the title.

Maya Weug: While Pin is in second position, Weug is only 30 points away and still has a strong chance to close the gap, making her a driver to watch as the season draws to a close.

Alisha Palmowski: As a Wild Card entry, Palmowski has stunned many with her top-three finish in Practice 2. With her growing confidence, she could be a surprise this weekend and she will give it her all to try to secure her spot in F1 Academy 2025.

Is it possible for the Championship to be decided this weekend?

Heading into the weekend, the standings for the championship are as follows:

Graphic from F1 Academy’s SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAN8Uk9MkxS/?img_index=1

Currently, Pulling leads by 95 points, so Pin would need to outscore her by at least 39 points this weekend to keep the championship alive. Here’s how it could play out:

After Qatar, only 56 points will remain. To win the championship in Qatar, Pulling must have a lead of 57 points or more over Pin by the end of the weekend. If Pin doesn’t outscore Pulling by at least 39 points, Pulling wins the title.

If Pin wins both races (50 points), takes both fastest laps (2 points), and both poles (4 points) for a perfect weekend (56 points), Pulling would only need to score 17 points or more in Abu Dhabi to secure the title.

On the other hand, Weug, currently in third place with 120 points, still has a chance to move up to second, but it will require a strong performance over the remaining four races. While it’s going to be a challenge, the Ferrari driver certainly has the potential to climb into second place. Behind her, the battle remains tight, with Chloe Chambers in 4th place on 103 points, closely followed by Nerea Marti in 5th with 101 points. 

Also, Alisha Palmowski, may not be in the title race, but with strong performances, she has the potential to shake things up and secure a surprise podium. This weekend is for sure going to be full of thrilling battles that could really mix up the standings.

Of course the focus will be on the intense battle between Abbi Pulling and Doriane Pin. Can Pin pull off a dramatic upset, or will Pulling’s consistency carry her to the title? Stay tuned to find out!

Qatar’s weekend timetables

Saturday 30 November

  • Qualifying - 15:20 UCT+3

  • Race 1 - 23:05 UCT+3

Sunday 1 December

  • Race 2 - 14:00 UCT+3

El Box de Julz .
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The New F1 Academy Calendar: A Missed Opportunity?