Sensational Victory: Chloe Chambers Secures Haas’ Maiden Win in F1 Academy
In an electrifying turn of events, Chloe Chambers has etched her name into the annals of F1 Academy history with a commanding win in Race 2. Starting from second on the grid, she surged past the pole-sitter Abbi Pulling and built an insurmountable lead, crossing the finish line 6.6 seconds ahead of her competitors, marking a monumental achievement for both herself and Team Haas.
Battle for the Podium
Standings leader Abbi Pulling faced a challenging race as she was forced into defensive mode to maintain her second-place position. Nerea Marti made several attempts to overtake Pulling, but it was Red Bull Racing's Hamda Al Qubaisi who showcased impeccable tyre management to clinch third place and secure her first podium finish of the season.
Midfield Maneuvers
Further down the order, Doriane Pin encountered a troublesome start that saw her drop from P3 to P6, ultimately finishing fifth in a recovery drive. The spotlight also shone on Lia Block, who put in one of her finest performances to date to finish sixth.
A five-second penalty for a false start saw McLaren’s Bianca Bustamante relegated to seventh, just ahead of Aston Martin’s Tina Hausmann. Charlotte Tilbury driver Lola Lovinfosse executed a late maneuver to secure ninth, pushing Emely De Heus into tenth but allowing her to claim back-to-back points finishes for the weekend.
Current Standings
Abbi Pulling, despite the second-place finish, added a significant 48 points to her championship tally, maintaining a 66-point lead as the drivers head into the summer break. However, her closest competitors, Doriane Pin and Chloe Chambers, are tied on 81 points, setting the stage for an intriguing second half of the season.
In the Teams' Standings, Rodin Motorsport has taken charge at the top with 176 points, holding a 23-point advantage over Campos Racing.
Looking Ahead
The excitement is set to continue as the F1 Academy moves to the Circuit Zandvoort for Round 4, scheduled from August 23-25. With the competition heating up, fans can expect more thrilling races and outstanding performances.
For a comprehensive recap of F1 Academy Race 2 in Barcelona, visit the official website here.