18 April 2024 , 05:00
1511
0
Abbi Pulling has told Max Verstappen he is wrong about F1 Academy after the Dutchman's criticism of the series.
Speaking to Dutch media at the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month, Verstappen voiced his own concerns about the all-female championship. Though it gives opportunities to women in racing, the Red Bull driver claimed that the level is not high enough.
He said: "Team bosses don't look at whether someone is a boy or a girl. It's about how fast they are. It is good that Formula 1 now pays extra attention to women in motorsport with the F1 Academy, although I have doubts about how they approach it.
"The cars they drive are way too slow. If you ever want to get them into Formula 1, it really has to go to a higher level. It's nice and nice that girls are now sponsored by Formula 1 teams, but what do we actually help them with? There is no next step for them now. For example, the gap to a Formula 4 car is already too big."
Mirror Sport put those comments to Alpine junior Pulling in an exclusive interview this week. In response, the current F1 Academy standings leader pointed out that last year's champion, Marta Garcia, has made the step to the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) this year.
Inside the driver call which upset Red Bull and changed the course of F1 history
The Spaniard's FRECA seat, with the prestigious Prema Racing team, is fully-funded as a result of her title success in 2023. "I like Max. I don't know if he knows that the winner last year went to Formula Regional and is racing with Prema, who won the championship last year," said Pulling.
"I don't know if he knows that's an opportunity that we get, the championship winner. I disagree on the point that there's no next step - I'd like to think that if I was to win the championship this year, or anyone else, that they would get the same prize, if not more than what happened last year with Marta Garcia.
"My best to her and I hope she gets some good results." The FRECA season begins next month at the Hockenheimring in Germany, while pre-season testing is taking place at France's Circuit Paul Ricard this week.
The F1 Academy season began at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last month. Pulling finished second on track in both races behind Mercedes' Doriane Pin in both races, but later inherited the Race 2 victory when Pin was given a post-race penalty.
British racing star Pulling, 21, leads the championship as a result with 44, points. Ferrari's Maya Weug is second with 33, just one point ahead of Pin who is still third despite her punishment. The next pair of F1 Academy races will take place at the Miami Grand Prix.