Qatar F1 weekend sees race CANCELLED after big crash

Qatar Grand Prix

Qatar F1 weekend sees race CANCELLED after big crash

A big thump in a support race caused the cancellation

Chris Deeley Editor

Experienced sports writer covering F1 and other motorsports since 2023

Sunday 1 December 2024 14:44 Updated: 15:36

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Fans at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday were deprived of some racing action and the chance to see a newly-crowned champion in action.

Race organisers were forced to take the difficult decision to call of a key part of the weekend on Sunday after a heavy crash in a support race, which left a barrier in need of lengthy repairs.

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That meant that F1 Academy drivers had to hang around on the grid waiting to find out if – or when – they'd actually start racing.

In the event, the repairs to the barrier took so long that the race was cancelled altogether, meaning that Abbi Pulling was unable to add to her astonishing record of seven wins in 11 races in 2024, which saw her win the championship with three races (now two) remaining on Saturday.

Abbi Pulling won the F1 Academy title in Qatar

Pulling will race for Rodin in the GB3 Championship next season

F1 Academy race cancelled in Qatar

Speaking after securing the title with her second place in the Saturday race in Qatar, Pulling said: "It's been a tougher season than most things. Going into the year, I had no choice to win. I've struggled financially in the past and to get the prize for next year.

"I know it's so early to talk about next year, but that makes me so happy and incredibly proud.

"I can't thank everyone who has got me in this position - Alpine, Rodin, Rodin Cars, I can't thank them enough. All my family, all the sacrifices my dad made. It's just a sigh of relief."

We will have a slight delay to the start due to ongoing barrier repair after an earlier incident #F2 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/DMUhCAUQje
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) December 1, 2024

The Formula 2 race that was meant to follow the F1 Academy race was also delayed in starting, and was eventually won by soon-to-be-F1 reserve driver Paul Aron, whose new role at Alpine was announced this week.

Red Bull Qatar Grand Prix F1 Academy Abbi Pulling