F1 Academy gets underway at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Conditions are warm, though cooler than those of earlier sessions. The track temperature is currently 35.4 degrees Celsius, and the air temperature is 24.0 degrees Celsius.
Abbi Pulling (PUL) of Rodin Motorsport and Alpine Academy starts on pole, after setting the fastest lap time in Friday’s qualifying. Chloe Chambers (CHA) starts just behind in P2.
The starting grid is as follows: PUL, CHA, MAR, PIN, BUS, HAU, HAL, BLO, EDG, LOV, DEH, WEU, AAL, SCH, NOB. All drivers are currently on the grid, waiting to begin their formation lap.
The drivers begin their formation lap to get their tyres up to temperature. As the drivers complete the formation lap, they make their way back to the grid to take their starting position as they wait for the green flag. The drivers will compete over 16 laps.
The green flag falls. Abbi pulling gets a great start, but Dorianne Pin (PIN) has a terrible start which sees her lose several places. Nerea Martí (MAR) is now up to P2 with Chambers in P3, after some minor contact between the two.
An early collision in sector 2 by Amna Al Quabaisi (AAL) and Maya Weug (WEU) brings out the yellow flag as both drivers end up in the gravel. The drivers are on the radio stating that they are fine as marshals arrive at the scene. A safety car is deployed to facilitate the recovery of the cars supported by RB and Ferrari. Aurelia Nobels (NOB) narrowly avoids the crash.
The safety car continues into Lap 5. The current standings: PUL, MAR, CHA, BUS, HAL, HAU, EDG, DEH, BLO, LOV, SCH, PIN, NOB with AAL and WEU out of Race 1. The current fastest time of 2:10.656 was set by Lia Block (BLO) in Lap 4.
Pulling leads the pack as the safety car comes in. As the green flag falls, Pulling pulls away from the pack. Chambers puts pressure on Marti. Hausmann a poor restart is overtaken by DEH. Lia Block (BLO) attacks Tina Hausmann (HAU) but is unable to get ahead. At the back of the pack, Lola Lovinfosse (LOV) puts pressure on Carrie Schreiner (SCH). Schreiner loses position to Lovinfosse and then to Schreiner. Schreiner now down in P12.
Meanwhile, Jessica Edgar (EDG) will be investigated to a false start.
The standings as of Lap 11: PUL, MAR, CHA, BUS, HAL, EDG, DEH, HAU, BLO, LOV, PIN, SCH, NOB. The current fastest lap is 1:42.618, set on lap 7 by race leader Abbi Pulling. Race control has announced the decision on the investigation of Edgar. The driver has been given a 5-second time penalty for a false start. As Edgar is not likely to have a pit stop, this penalty will be applied to her finishing time.
A fight between Hausmann, Pin and Block sees Pin get ahead of Block. Pin then attempts to go around on the inside of Turn 5 to get ahead of Hausmann, but Hausmann defends well to keep Pin behind. Pin continues to pursue.
3 laps left. At the front of the pack, race leader, Abbi Pulling is approximately 2.5 seconds ahead of Martí. Towards the back, Pin is still pursuing Hausmann but the gap between them is shrinking.
Pin is still pursing Hausmann. She appears to be struggling a bit with her pace, which helps Hausmann keep her behind. Pin attempts to go around the outside, but Hausmann defends well and keeps her behind.
Hausmann runs wide and is finally overtaken by Pin. Block now challenging Hausmann for P9. At the front, Bianca Bustamante (BUS) is chasing Chloe Chambers for P3. Bustamante is making up time, but Chambers defends well to keep her position.
The final lap gets underway. All drivers are currently holding their positions, though Bustamante is still pursuing Chambers for P3. Pin has been making up time as well and gets within 5 seconds of Edgar.
Pulling is first across the line as the chequered flag falls. Edgar, who crosses the finished line sixth, drops to P8 due to her five-second time penalty.
The final standings are: PUL, MAR, CHA, BUS, HAL, DEH, PIN, EDG, HAU, BLO, LOV, SCH, NOB, AAL, and WEU, with AAL and WEU out early in the race. The fastest time of the race (1:42.482) was set on Lap 8 by race winner Abbi Pulling. This marks Pulling’s fourth win this season.
