2024 F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling made history for women in motorsport by becoming the first female driver to win a race in the GB3 Championship.
Pulling converted pole position into victory in a delayed opening race on Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps, creating a historic moment.
The opening race was abandoned due to torrential rain and thunderstorms at the home of F1's Belgian Grand Prix before sunny skies dried the circuit and allowed the action to finally get underway.
A mid-race safety car increased the pressure on Pulling, but the Rodin Motorsport driver aced the restart to secure victory ahead of championship leader Nikita Bedrin.
It is a significant moment not only in Pulling's career but also for F1 Academy. Pulling moved into GB3 after receiving a fully funded seat with Rodin for 2025 as a reward for becoming F1 Academy champion. She has remained with the outfit in 2026 and has now become a race winner.
"I had to work for it, and there's some sore points that I've had from Silverstone," Pulling said after the race. "My race starts being one, and I absolutely nailed it. I just can't thank the team enough. Can't thank everyone around me. I've got so many people around me."
The 23-year-old added: "I was just happy I got racing, happy I got the result, and I tried really hard. I know the boys are on different downforce levels to us. So, I knew I really had to make a difference in that middle sector, and it paid off, to say the least.
"I'm absolutely over the moon. I always say I want to get placed on merit, and just show that I can compete at the front no matter what, no matter the competition, and I've done that today, and I can't thank the team, Rodin Motorsport, Rodin Cars, all my sponsors.
"I've had a few people come on board this weekend. I can't thank them all, 'cause there are too many. But everyone who's helped me knows that this thanks is to them."
Originally published by RacingNews365 —
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