During Friday’s press conference at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Oliver Oakes and Toto Wolff shared a light-hearted exchange. The conversation took a humorous turn when Oakes was asked about Abbi Pulling, the Alpine-backed driver and a strong contender for the F1 Academy championship.
“Even before taking on this role [as team principal], I’d seen her in the British racing scene. And now, with the F1 Academy supporting a couple of F1 weekends so far, it’s great to see her succeeding,” Oliver Oakes remarked.
“She’s clearly on the right path to progress further. Naturally, one of the first questions at Enstone during debriefs was: what are her future plans? I’m keenly watching how many races remain.”
Then, turning to Wolff with a grin, Oliver Oakes added, “Toto, you’d know, right? There’s one race left? You’ll be in trouble with Susie if you don’t know the answer! Or, never mind, I’ll take the blame.”
Toto Wolff, matching Oliver Oakes’ lighthearted tone, shot back, “You’ve dragged me into this! Yes, one left—wait, no, two! Qatar and Abu Dhabi. It’s getting worse!”
Returning to a serious note, Oliver Oakes confirmed that Pulling could clinch the championship at the next round in Qatar. With her strong performances in the F1 Academy and recent Formula E tests, Oakes is confident about her bright future. “It won’t be long before we see which series she competes in next,” he concluded.
This playful moment showcased the camaraderie among the team principals, even as the intense competition for success across various racing platforms continues.
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