Pulling leaves rivals chasing in all-female Formula E test

©AbbiPulling/Instagram

F1 Academy championship leader Abbi Pulling stole the show at Friday's all-female Formula E test at the Jarama circuit, posting the fastest time of the day driving for Nissan.

The test, dedicated exclusively to female drivers, saw all 11 Formula E teams field at least one driver, giving 18 participants the chance to experience the all-electric series' cutting-edge Gen3 Evo electric cars.

Pulling, who stands on the brink of the F1 Academy title and a fully-funded drive in the UK's GB3 Championship next season, clocked an impressive 1m30.889s lap within the last hour of the three-hour session.

Despite it being her very first time behind the wheel of a Formula E car, Pulling's best lap came within 4.5 seconds of the quickest lap from the week-long pre-season test, set by Jaguar's Mitch Evans earlier that same day.

Close on her heels was three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick, running with Jaguar TCS Racing who posted a time just 0.320s behind Pulling's, securing her spot as the second fastest in the historic first-of-its-kind test session.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.