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Autosport
Autosport

F1 Academy champion to receive funded drive in GB3 for 2025

This year's F1 Academy champion will receive a fully-funded drive in GB3 next season with leading squad Rodin Motorsport.

The all-female series previously had a similar prize in place with the Formula Regional European Championship with a Prema seat, although the inaugural 2023 champion Marta Garcia was eventually fielded by Iron Dames.

Now, this year's champion will receive a GB3 drive alongside 20 days of testing in a prize funded by F1 Academy and tyre supplier Pirelli.

It coincides with GB3 introducing a new car for 2025 that features DRS and improved aerodynamics, while it also has added Monza to its schedule to now have a calendar that is half composed of UK rounds and half of European events.

Alpine junior Abbi Pulling, who drives for Rodin, is currently dominating the F1 Academy season with two events to go and could seal the prize drive next time out in Qatar.

The Rodin squad has a proven track record in GB3 and its drivers have won the title in each of the past two years.

Podium: second place Abbi Pulling, Rodin Motorsport (Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images)

Susie Wolff, F1 Academy managing director, said: "At F1 Academy we are striving to create opportunities for women to succeed at all levels of our sport, and a testament to that mission is our commitment to putting together the best possible package for our champions to move onwards and upwards. 

"Together with our driver development team, we’re proud to support our 2024 champion with a fully funded seat in GB3 with Rodin Motorsport in 2025.

"This will provide her with a fantastic opportunity to continue her development and aid her future progression."

Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MotorSport Vision - which operates GB3 - added: "We are delighted that GB3 has been chosen as the next step for the 2024 F1 Academy champion. 

Susie Wolff, Managing Director, F1 Academy, and Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor, Alpine F1, watch the podium ceremony (Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images)

"Over the past decade there has quite rightly been a big shift in motorsport to recognise and encourage the participation of women. 

"F1 Academy has been instrumental in that process and Susie’s determination to provide women with unprecedented opportunities to develop and shine is tremendously exciting."    

The announcement coincides with GB3's feeder series, GB4, increasing its prize fund for the top female driver in the standings from €30,000 to €50,000 to help towards an F1 Academy seat.

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