Abbi Pulling, the reigning F1 champion, is guaranteed a fully funded GB3 seat with Rodin for the 2025 season. However, she will not enter the championship as an Alpine Junior Programme driver anymore, despite spending all of last year racing in Alpine’s bright pink and blue colours. The real reason behind her departure remains unknown, but Pulling addressed the situation on social media:
„After our championship-winning season in F1 Academy & after lengthy discussions I have decided not to renew with the BWT Alpine F1 Team. Thank you to the team #& partners for your support & amazing memories. Merci, Alpine 💙 “
In the same post, she already confirmed her next move. She will be joining Rodin, a team focused entirely on feeder series and independent of any F1 program.
„I’m excited to start a new chapter with @rodincars 💪“
Pulling already has experience with Rodin, having raced in their F1 Academy car as well as the British F4, where she became the first ever female driver to win a British F4 FIA-Certified race. In 2025, she will take on a bigger role as a Rodin Cars ambassador alongside her GB3 drive. She hopes to follow in the footsteps of drivers like Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, and Kevin Magnussen, who have all been part of Rodin’s driver development.
With her GB3 seat and ambassador role, Pulling is now one of the strongest female contenders for an F3 or even F2 seat in the coming years. The last female drivers to reach those levels – Tatiana Calderón and Sophia Flöersch – are no longer competing in those series, leaving an opportunity for the Rodin driver to break through.
Alpine released their own statement regarding the split:
„Our @f1academy Champion 🏆
Thank you for the memories together, @abbipulling. We’re so proud of all that you have achieved during your time with us.
It has been amazing to see you grow and develop, and we wish you the best of luck for the future and will continue to closely follow your progress 💖💙“
Rodin may currently offer more opportunities for Pulling, but her departure from Alpine raises a bigger question: will other teams continue supporting their female drivers once they graduate from F1 Academy? Or will they drop them once they’re no longer eligible due to age limits or championship victories?