F1 Academy champions: where are GarcĂa, Pulling and Pin now?
How the F1 Academy championship is won
Founded in 2022 and launched with its inaugural season in 2023, F1 Academy has completed three campaigns and is now contesting its fourth. The series gives young female drivers the opportunity to compete in high-speed single-seaters at some of motorsportâs most recognisable circuits. As in any championship, however, only one driver can finish on top.
The title is decided by the points accumulated across every race during the season. The driver with the highest total is crowned champion. That simple principle has already produced three different winners, each of whom has used the series as a platform for the next stage of her career. The pathway remains central to F1 Academyâs purpose, as reflected in wider discussion around the series and its potential to develop future Formula 1 talent, including Jessica Hawkinsâ prediction that a woman will race in F1 within a few years.
The three champions and their next steps
2023: Marta GarcĂa
Marta GarcĂa became the first F1 Academy champion after the 2023 finale at the Circuit of the Americas, where she also took pole position. Her campaign included 12 podiums, seven victories and five pole positions, producing 278 points and a 54-point winning margin.
Her reward was a fully funded PREMA Racing seat in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. GarcĂa then shifted her focus to endurance racing, joining the Iron Dames project and competing in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. She also took part in Formula E womenâs testing for Lola Yamaha ABT.
2024: Abbi Pulling
Abbi Pulling dominated the 2024 season, finishing on the podium in all 14 races. She recorded 10 pole positions and nine wins, scoring 338 points and establishing the highest race-win total in F1 Academy history.
Pulling moved into the GB3 Championship with Rodin Motorsport while also joining Nissan Formula E Team as a rookie and simulator driver. She continues to compete for Rodin in GB3 and retains her Formula E role.
2025: Doriane Pin
Doriane Pin secured the 2025 title with eight podiums, four wins and points in all 14 races. Her unbroken scoring run underlined the consistency behind her championship campaign.
After winning, Pin became a Development Driver for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. She has also returned to endurance racing, competing in the European Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Duqueine Team.
The 2026 title fight
Four races have been completed across the Shanghai, Montreal and Silverstone rounds. Nina Gademan and Emma Felbermayr won in Shanghai, Mathilda Paatz and Alisha Palmowski triumphed in Montreal, while Felbermayr and Palmowski also claimed Silverstone victories as stated in the source.
With more rounds still to come, the 2026 championship remains open. The central question is now clear: which driver will become F1 Academyâs fourth champion?
Ciara Gillan
Ciara is a Dublin native, award-winning film producer, podcaster and writer with 20 years of storytelling experience. A lifelong Leinster and Ireland rugby fan, she turned her attention to the grid after moving to Berlin and co-founding Formula Live Pulse. Now, she applies her producerâs brain to Formula 1, navigating the highs of Oscar Piastriâs rise and the unique stress of being an adopted Ferrari fan. She loves talking and talking about F1, if you give her the chance!