The storylines to look out for as F1 ACADEMY hits the streets in Singapore

Four rounds in the books, three more to go as the 2024 F1 ACADEMY field descend upon Singapore for one of the most demanding race weekends of the campaign.

Marina Bay Street Circuit is a chance for drivers and teams to put to the test all that they’ve learnt at a pivotal point in the action-packed season, so here are the topics making headlines for Round 5.

Title fights on the line

Alpine’s Abbi Pulling has been steadily putting daylight between her and second-placed Doriane Pin all season long. Five wins, five pole positions and three further podiums have given her the chance to possibly wrap up the title by the time the chequered flag falls on Race 2 in Singapore.

A 71-point lead at this stage means that if Pulling outscores the Mercedes driver by 41 points or more, she’ll be crowned F1 ACADEMY’s second Champion. That will be no easy feat with a maximum of 168 points up for grabs between now and the end of the season.

To help her cause, the Singapore circuit is right up Pulling’s alley, drawing some similarities to the British circuits she’s raced on for most of her career. Left with little room for error on the tight and twisty track is just how the Briton likes it.

ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 25: Race winner Abbi Pulling of Great Britain and Rodin Motorsport — Could Pulling potentially be crowned Champion by the end of Race 2 in Singapore?

Rodin vs PREMA vs Campos

It’s not only the Drivers’ Standings closing in, but the Teams’ fight is one to pay close attention to. Rodin Motorsport are in the driving seat on 225 points, but the score is far from settled with PREMA Racing cutting their deficit down to six points and Campos Racing a further 27 points back.

Campos have been the most consistent points-scorers all season, with their trio of Chloe Chambers, Nerea Martí and Carrie Schreiner delivering top 10 performances on 19 occasions out of a possible 24. However, PREMA have had the more front running form, with an average result of 5.8 across the races they’ve finished but have suffered three retirements along the way.

F1 ACADEMY: Pin returns to winning ways with dominant victory in Zandvoort

If Rodin’s Jessica Edgar and Lola Lovinfosse can contribute big points hauls this weekend, it will go a long way to fending off their rivals’ attempts.

What can Wild Card Ella Lloyd do?

The fourth Wild Card of the season, British racer Ella Lloyd steps on to the grid at one of the most challenging venues on the calendar for a rookie. Currently competing in British F4, she’s earned three podium finishes so far and sits ninth in the Standings in her debut single seater campaign.

ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 25: Doriane Pin of France and PREMA Racing (28) leads the field at — A close battle has been unfolding in the Teams' Standings

Building up as she goes will be critical to her success across the four sessions, but as Zandvoort Wild Card Nina Gademan proved last time out with her double points finishes, Wild Cards can certainly stamp their mark on the weekend.

Rookies’ battle for the top 10

Close-fought battles are unfolding up and down the order. Whilst Chambers, Martí and Ferrari’s Maya Weug are separated by five points in their battle for third in the Standings, several rookies and returnees are squabbling over the final few spots inside the top 10.

American Express’ Jessica Edgar has a hold on eighth on 22 points as things stand, but the second-year driver only remains ahead of newcomer Aurelia Nobels on countback, courtesy of her P4 finish in Jeddah Race 2.

Ten points cover six drivers, from Edgar down to Williams rookie Lia Block in P14, whilst Aston Martin’s Tina Hausmann also sits on the cusp of the top 10. The first-year drivers have been growing in strength, with Nobels netting her best result of the season with a P5 finish in Zandvoort Race 2. Will it be onwards and upwards for the rookies, or will the unfamiliarity of Singapore give the more experienced returning drivers an edge?