Wednesday 18 December: Local students were today treated to a driving masterclass by 2024 F1 Academy Champion and Spurs fan, Abbi Pulling, at our Official F1 Karting Experience – F1® DRIVE – London.
Amongst those taking part were students from the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET), a state-funded Sixth Form sponsored by the Club that prioritises local students most likely to benefit from an academically-rigorous curriculum and those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
10 girls from Mulberry Academy Woodside school in Haringey were also invited by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to participate in the karting sessions, during which Abbi offered technical advice and coaching.
Abbi is one of the most exciting racing prospects of her generation and was recently crowned as the first British champion of the all-female F1 Academy series.
After the karting session, the students took part in a Q&A with Abbi, who offered advice on pathways and career opportunities in motorsport, in line with F1®DRIVE – London’s mission to bring greater diversity to the motorsport industry.
Abbi said: “It has been incredible meeting the students today, I think they have really enjoyed the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a kart, and they had so many great questions during the Q&A.
“I can’t thank F1 DRIVE enough for putting on this event and giving these youngsters this opportunity. Maybe one day they will end up having careers in motorsport and I will see them in the paddock!
“I never had a huge female role model growing up and I think especially for the girls around here being able to see someone who has gone on to become a driver is really important.”
Kiara, 15, who received a trophy from Abbi on the podium after winning her race, said: “It was a great experience, exhilarating, fun, and we really enjoyed it. Being out on the track and meeting Abbi was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I got to shake her hand – it was crazy!”
Tarandeep, 16, added: “That was exhilarating! The F1 DRIVE space looks absolutely amazing – I feel so lucky right now to have met Abbi, its not every day you get to meet a world champion race driver.”
Havin, 14: “I think this is a great opportunity for us girls. We’ve done a lot with the Foundation and to have this opportunity at F1® DRIVE, meeting Abbi, was amazing. I’m really thankful.”
The girls from Mulberry Academy Woodside are currently taking part in the Premier League Changemakers programme that supports young women by inspiring, empowering and equipping them with the tools to develop a positive attitude towards leadership.
It is part of a wider Premier League Inspires personal development programme, funded by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association through the Premier League Charitable Fund, and delivered by the Foundation in secondary schools across the local area.
F1® DRIVE - London is the world’s first in-stadium electric karting facility and London’s longest indoor karting track – housed beneath our iconic South Stand.
The experience aims to widen the motorsport talent pool and increase diversity in the sport by delivering driving and educational activities for local youngsters and showcasing career pathways in areas such as engineering and software development.