The first practice session for the F1 Academy in Qatar was a blustery affair, with strong winds adding an extra challenge for the drivers. The headwind into Turn 1, the biggest braking zone on the track, actually helped the drivers brake quicker due to the increased downforce. However, the tailwind into Turns 12 and 13 proved more troublesome, with nothing to break the wind.
The session got off to a stressful start, with Abbi Pulling unable to leave the garage due to technical issues. Her mechanics worked tirelessly to try to get her out for this crucial practice run.
Aurelia Nobels and Lola Lovinfosse were the first drivers to take to the track, followed closely by Jess Edgar. Nobels was the early pacesetter, setting a time of 1:59.291s, with Emily De Heus 2.2 seconds behind in second and Amna Al Qubaisi in third.
Edgar then shot to the top of the timesheets with 21 minutes to go, setting a blistering lap of 1:57.872s. Carrie Schreiner, competing in her final F1 Academy season due to the two-year age limit, was also showing strong pace.
With 18 minutes remaining, Pulling finally emerged onto the track, eager to make up for lost time. Hamda Al Qubaisi, a model of consistency throughout the season, then slotted into P2 with a time of 1:57.727s.
Bianca Bustamante, hoping to recapture her early season form after disappointing outings in Singapore and Zandvoort, was also finding her rhythm.
The session then saw another change at the top, with Dorianne Pin setting a scorching lap of 1:56.645s to go P1. With just eight minutes left on the clock, Pulling was still struggling to find her feet and languishing at the bottom of the timesheets.
Wildcard entry Chloe Palmowski, the reigning GB4 Championship Vice Champion, immediately made an impact, slotting into third with a time of 1:57.197s. Maya Weug, still chasing her first win of the season, was also looking quick, just 0.2s off Pin’s leading time.
Pulling finally found some form in the dying moments of the session, jumping up to second with a 1:56.944s. However, it was Pin who held on to take the top spot, with Weug in third. Edgar and Bustamante continued their strong showing, rounding out the top five.
Palmowski ultimately finished a highly creditable seventh, followed by Schreiner, Lia Block, and Chloe Chambers. Nerea Martí, despite a late surge up the order, had to settle for P11, ahead of Tina Hausmann, De Heus, Lovinfosse, and A. Al Qubaisi.
