Reigning F1 Academy Champion Abbi Pulling is taking an exciting step forward in her motorsport career as she joins Nissan for the upcoming Formula E rookie test in Berlin. Pulling believes that this opportunity and Formula E’s approach overall show real progress for women in motorsport.
Building on the Women’s test
This rookie test marks yet another exciting opportunity between Pulling and Nissan. The Brit first got her chance with the team during the Women’s Test in Madrid earlier this season. Since then, she has maintained a strong relationship with the team, citing them as hugely significant for her development.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s super exciting to be here in Berlin… To further our partnership with Nissan and become more involved, I aim to learn from them and support the team, working behind the scenes. It’s super fulfilling, and it’s another step in my career.”
Pulling added that although the Women’s test provided her with valuable experience, this weekend at the Berlin rookie test presents an even bigger challenge. Particularly as Pulling has limited knowledge on street circuits such as Berlin.
“The women’s test was great, but this is a whole other challenge. Even the track itself is more demanding, I would say, just as it’s a street circuit. It’s quite high risk, high reward compared to Jarama.”
“And of course, I’m much more used to more conventional circuits. I always find the Formula E street circuits are really raw and very tough.”
Formula E’s opportunities for Women
Pulling believes Formula E is leading the way for Female opportunities in the sport. Creating a welcoming environment for drivers both on and off the track, fostering an environment of inclusion in a sport which is often deemed as a “boys’ club.”
“It’s so cool. I think it’s such a positive time to be a female in motorsport as a whole, in any paddock. But I think from my experience personally, the Formula E paddock has been the most inviting, the most friendly,” she said.
She praised the Women’s Test in Jarama as a clear example of the series’ commitment to this continued support for Women.
“Jeff Dodds managing to get everyone, all the teams, quite easily to agree to run us all in the cars at Jarama, and giving us that opportunity, really shows their openness to wanting to help a female excel as a driver.”
Pulling on the support from Nissan
In just her first full weekend with the team, Pulling emphasised the important role Nissan has played in shaping her development as a driver. Providing her with skills she hadn’t learned, and helping to refine those that she already had.
“Nissan, they’re brilliant. That’s why I did so well at the Women’s Test because we had such a great plan in place, and they gave me all the facilities I needed to do well.”
Pulling sees this rookie test as another step towards her long-term goals, as she continues to build her skills within a professional environment.
“It’s trying to get close to that professional role,” Pulling explained.
“I just need to work on the areas that I need to improve on from the Women’s Test, and also help the team in some of the test items that they want me to do.”
Formula E full-time soon?
Abbi Pulling remains hopeful that one day she may be a part of the grid full-time. Having supported the series for some time, it would be a dream come true for the young driver.
“ I’ve been following Formula E for quite some time now, and it’s always been enticing”
“This is definitely something that I’d like to continue working with Nissan on, and pair it with whatever championship I’m racing in at the time. To keep learning on both areas… and then potentially maybe one day take it full-time.”
Pulling knows there is still much to learn before then, but with Nissan’s backing and Formula E’s openness to women in the paddock, she feels the path is clearer than ever.
“As I said, there’s a lot to learn until then, but that’s why we’re doing this. They’re giving me the opportunity to try to work for myself, put the effort in, and see what could potentially happen in the future.”
