2024 Alpine Academy Saudi Arabia Report – maiden victory and double podiums at Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Alpine Academy’s FIA Formula 2 pair – Victor Martins and Kush Maini – and Formula 1 Academy’s Abbi Pulling were all in action in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the Grand Prix weekend.

Abbi (Rodin Motorsport) claimed her first F1 Academy victory having been promoted to first following a post-race penalty in Race 2, whilst Kush (Invicta Racing) took a second-place podium in the FIA Formula 2 Feature Race having lined up on pole position.

Abbi kick started her second season in F1 Academy in Jeddah, securing second-place grid starts for both races. Going on to take the chequered flag in second in Race 1 and 2, the British driver celebrated two podium finishes, before being promoted to first for Race 2, following a post-race penalty for Doriane Pin. Collecting an all-important haul of points Abbi currently sits first in the F1 Academy standings ahead of the next round in Miami at the start of May.

In FIA Formula 2, Kush secured his first podium of the 2024 season after his second-place finish. Kush qualified in second but inherited pole position as a result of Ollie Bearman’s withdrawal from Formula 2 duties. Victor (ART Grand Prix) faced a challenging weekend where he left empty handed. The Frenchman qualified fourth but retired from the Sprint after contact with Dennis Hauger. In the Feature race, he struggled for pace on both stints, finishing eleventh at the chequered flag.

Both Victor and Kush are in Formula 2 action in Australia next weekend.

Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix)

Practice: 3 / Qualifying: 4 / Sprint Race: DNF / Feature Race: 11

“It was a really tough weekend in Jeddah. Unfortunately, we were not able to score any points. It is clearly not what we were aiming for or what we wanted for the start of the season, but we will remain focused and determined to get back on top. We know what direction we need to take, and I am fully confident in the team and in myself that we will get there and have the opportunity to score the points we deserve. It is a long championship, and it will be a long journey towards our goal of taking the title. Now our main focus is to work together as a team and reflect on our analysis from Saudi Arabia to do better in the future.”

Kush Maini (Invicta Racing)

Practice: 2 / Qualifying: 2 (promoted to 1 following Bearman withdrawal) / Sprint Race: 8 / Feature Race: 2

“It was a good race weekend in Saudi Arabia. We started the weekend off strong in Practice and Qualifying but struggled in the Sprint Race. We made the decision to change the set up for the Feature Race, which worked out well and we seemed to be back on the pace. We were a little unlucky with the safety cars and Enzo [Fittipaldi] was a bit too quick for us but I am happy that we were able to finish second and collect a haul of points towards the championship. We also made a big step in the car between the two races, which a positive takeaway and the weekend shows lots of positives for the rest of the season. It is very early but we will continue to push every weekend and the ultimate goal is to be fighting for the championship.”

Abbi Pulling (Rodin Motorsport)

Practice: 2 / Qualifying 1: 2 / Qualifying 2: 2 / Race 1: 2 / Race 2: 1

“It was my first time racing in Jeddah this weekend and what a track it is! The close walls, fine lines and speed really suit my driving style, as it is an unforgiving circuit which are always my favourite. It may be the circuit of the year for me. The races themselves were tough, running at the hottest time of day was certainly a challenge but we were able to start and finish in second for both races. Being promoted to first post-race was an added bonus to the weekend and the haul of points will help towards my championship campaign. Obviously, I would like more and I want to take the win on track next but we had a really good fight in Race 2 and I was putting on a lot of pressure, which is a positive take away for myself and the team. I want to keep the momentum going, the most important thing for the championship is to keep consistency throughout the rest of the season.”