F1: Abbi Pulling joins Jamie Chadwick in mission to end Stefano Domenicali doubts

Pursuing a career in Formula 1 is a five-year goal that W Series stars Abbi Pulling and Jamie Chadwick have not given up on, despite doubts from CEO Stefano Domenicali.

The Italian manager recently said: “Unless there is something like a meteorite, I don’t see a girl coming into F1 in the next five years.”

Pulling, who burst onto the W Series scene last year, is aiming to reach the highest level of single-seater racing alongside two-time W Series champion Chadwick.

The two British drivers are widely admired for their ability on the track and both have set their sights on making it to F1.

Despite Domenicali not convinced we will see a woman make the leap so soon, both Chadwick and Pulling have admitted they have found motivation in his comments.

F1 has not had a woman on the grid since Lella Lombardi in 1976.

Motorsport has been heavily male-dominated for many years but the tide is starting to change as more women than ever are involved as engineers, ambassadors, and development drivers.

Chadwick is committed to becoming one of, if not the first woman to break through the glass ceiling and compete in F1.

“My goal is definitely to try and make it within five years, so we’ll see,” the Brit said in a recent press conference. “There’s a lot I need to achieve in that time but my goal is still very much to try and go through the correct feeder series and have success in that to be in Formula 1 within five years.”

She stressed the importance of “leaning on the people who do believe” she can make it all the way to F1 and brushed off Domenicali’s recent comments.

“[It] doesn’t really bother me. It’s motivation I guess, if nothing else.”

Pulling echoed Chadwick’s dedication to proving doubters wrong.

The 19-year-old is one of