Carlin has British drivers Abbi Pulling, Jessica Edgar and Canadian Megan Gilkes in her team for the 21-race season. The F1 Academy was formed this year for women aged 25 and under, to help develop the skills of the best drivers in the lower levels of motorsport. Pulling, 20, says the F1 Academy is “not only helping develop drivers, but it is giving us really good value for money”. If it wasn’t for what F1 Academy are doing I wouldn’t be racing – it’s a simple as that,” she said. “I don’t think it’s too dissimilar to what the guys are doing,” said Pulling.

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