What next for these F1 Academy stars?

Since its debut season in 2023, F1 Academy has provided a well-deserved spotlight to numerous gifted female drivers, including 2024 champion Abbi Pulling and race winners Chloe Chambers, Maya Weug, and Bianca Bustamante.

Each spoke to Autosport about their ultimate goals, the opportunities they gained from being in the series, and what their futures hold, with some continuing into their second season in F1 Academy and others stepping up to the next rung of the motorsport ladder.

Chambers will complete her second and final year in F1 Academy as a Red Bull Ford-affiliated driver in 2025, remaining with Campos as she makes the most of the series’ two-year limit.

“Ultimately I’m able to do a second year in F1 Academy, so why not use both of those years and make the best out of them?” said Chambers, who raced in Haas colours last season.

“A lot of people were able to see how my year was going up until that point, and we’re happy with the results and the progress being made. So that drew in some of the bigger names in F1, which then led me to the Red Bull Ford Academy programme.”

It is yet to be confirmed whether Ferrari junior Weug will continue with Prema in F1 Academy this season, but the 20-year-old told Autosport she wanted to take part in more racing and track time in the upcoming year.

She said: “I can’t say much, but you’ll probably see me again somewhere.

“I’m trying to do as much racing as I can this year; I felt like I didn’t have enough races. I only did seven races with F1 Academy and I felt like I was lacking a bit of track time.

“I’m pushing to try and find a way to do more races and to find the budget for next year to do more races and more test days.”

Both champion Pulling and Bustamante, having completed the maximum two seasons in the series, are moving up into GB3; Pulling with Rodin Motorsport and Bustamante with Elite Motorsport. Both anticipate tough competition as the championship moves to a new Tatuus-built car which is estimated to produce 35% more downforce than its predecessor, but are looking forward to taking the next step in their careers.

Pulling, an Alpine Academy driver, said: “In terms of the car, it’s quite a big jump from the F1 Academy car and the British F4 car that I’ve been racing this year. In GB3 there’s a lot more downforce, so it’s a bit of a different driving style that I need to adapt to.

“I’m hoping that I do suit it though, as I think it would be quite a smooth driving style, and that’s how I like to drive, but only time will tell.

“The competition is going to be really high, as it’s a new car and we’re all going to be figuring things out. But as long as I come away from every weekend progressing and maximising what I can, I think I’ll be happy.”

Bustamante echoed these sentiments: “It’s going to be the fastest car I’ve ever driven in my career.

“Especially GB3 coming in with a new car next season, more aero, more horsepower as well as DRS. So effectively a big step up in the car, physicality wise.

Bianca Bustamante, ART Grand Prix

Photo by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Images

“Just been spending my off season really training hard – been in the gym every single day, twice a day some of the days – just to really step up my physical strength this season.”

But despite the physical step-up, Bustamante doesn’t see that as a barrier.

“Realistically, girls have driven F3 cars – Tatiana Calderon, Jamie Chadwick,” she said. “I don’t think it’s a matter of ‘we can’t do it’, ‘the championship has to make a difference’.

“It’s always up to us to better ourselves to match what the male drivers are driving. I think that’s why GB3 is such a great championship, because it is an equal playing field.

“I don’t think there should be any changes done, I think there should be a huge focus on building up strength for female drivers. That’s what I’ve recognised and I’m definitely working on.”

This is something Weug agreed with: “For me it’s never been a limiting factor, the physical side.

“Of course, I haven’t driven F2 or F1, but I think we can all adapt to that and just have to train probably a bit more than the guys in the gym or outside because, of course, physically we’re different, there’s nothing to hide there.

“Definitely I need to train a lot, and all of us have to train probably more than the guys would have to in our position, but I don’t think it’s limiting when I’m driving.”

Chambers, Bustamante, and Pulling have also been making waves elsewhere, all taking part in the all-female Formula E test at Jarama in November 2024, with Pulling topping the timesheets, Bustamante in third and Chambers in 15th.

Abbi Pulling, Nissan Formula E Team

Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images

All commented on the importance of all-female testing such as this, the opportunity being invaluable for them and offering much-valued visibility.

Speaking ahead of the test, Chambers explained: “There’ll be a lot of us out on track, so there’ll be a lot of us to gauge ourselves off of and learn off of each other. Hopefully in the future there’ll be an opportunity for one of us in the test to go on and race in Formula E full-time.”

Pulling added: “Having the opportunity to jump in the Formula E car and gathering that experience and working with a team like the Nissan Formula E team – they’re really professional and had a really good program for me as a newbie coming into it never having driven the car – gave me everything I needed.”

Bustamante called the experience “incredible” and felt the all-female test was mutually beneficial for the drivers and the teams.

“The professionalism of all the mechanics and engineers was great, as well as working alongside Sam Bird, and Ella Lloyd, drivers who are very experienced,” she said. “It gives opportunities for female drivers to feed into the programme.

“I think having these women tests allows the females to also go in there and drive and show potential.”

Formula E, along with other racing series, are on the horizons of the drivers, and are among routes they would be happy to go down.

Abbi Pulling, 2024 F1 Academy champion, receives her trophy

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

“Keeping my options open,” said Pulling about her long-term career ambitions. “I had the Formula E test, that went well. Alpine are involved with WEC, and there’s stuff going on in America, there’s IndyNXT. So I feel like there’s a lot of places I could end up whether an opportunity presents itself.”

However, the ultimate goal amongst these drivers was unanimous – Formula 1. A female driver hasn’t taken part in an official F1 session since F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff appeared for Williams in FP1 at the 2014 British Grand Prix.

“My ultimate dream, my ultimate goal, is Formula 1, since I’ve been very little,” Weug said.

“Formula 1 is the ultimate goal, I think any young driver in my position will say that,” Pulling echoed. “But it’s a very tough sport, and it’s hard to get to, and it’s an expensive sport, and some of even the best talents don’t manage to get to it – there’s only 20 seats available. You’ve got to be in the right place at the right time sometimes.”

Chambers added: “Ultimately getting into F1 is very slim, especially with all the new rookies coming in. There’s not going to be another seat open in F1 for a while now, and it’s very expensive on the way to F1.

“I haven’t put that as my end-all-be-all, like that’s the only thing I want to do, because ultimately it’s not guaranteed.

“So as much as I would like to continue on trying to reach Formula 1, I also have some other plans as well; endurance racing, sportscars, IndyCar, so we’ll see how next year plays out and then go from there.”

Race winner Maya Weug, PREMA Racing, second place Abbi Pulling, Rodin Motorsport, third place Nerea Marti, Campos Racing celebrate on the podium

Photo by: Joe Portlock / Motorsport Images

But all remain hopeful that a female driver could join the grid in the not-too-distant future.

“We’re getting there, but there’s still a way to go and I’m sure we’ll make it happen,” said Weug.

“And at the same time, try to inspire young girls, try to involve more young girls into racing, into karting, and hopefully see more girls in racing.”