2026 GB3 race winner Abbi Pulling completed her first Indy NXT test at IMS on Monday. The 23-year-old was in the #29 Andretti as she got valuable mileage following a delayed start because of weather. In the end her total was 64 laps.
Back at Spa in May, Pulling made history as she became the first woman to win in GB3. At the previous round in Donington, the Rodin Motorsport driver backed it up with two further podiums. She is P8 in points with Brands Hatch this weekend, and the Circuit de Catalunya to conclude the campaign.
It has been five years since Abbi Pulling really started to impress on big stages. In just her third weekend in W Series, she was on pole position for Race 1 in Austin, securing her first podium at just 18 in Race 2 that weekend.
After joining the F1 Academy grid following the demise of W Series, Pulling eventually put a full season together, combining her natural speed with consistency. The Brit dominated the season, winning nine races and taking the title by a whopping 121 points.
As things stand, Abbi Pulling is heading for a second successive top 10 championship result in the GB3 series.
Abbi Pulling on driving at the Indy NXT Evaluation Test
Speaking briefly to Pit Debrief and the official Indy NXT website before heading back to the UK to continue her GB3 season, she spoke about her enjoyment after finishing her running.
“A really enjoyable day and it’s fun to be out here in the States.
The 23-year-old outlined her interest in doing more tests and potentially joining the Indy NXT grid as she evaluates her options for 2027. Fellow Brit and former W Series rival Jamie Chadwick took a superb win at Road America two years ago at this level.
Pulling was quick to praise the Road to Indy programme as well.
“I mean, yeah, of course. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t something that I’d want to do.
“The programme they have out here is really exciting and a good place to learn.
The differences between Firestones and Pirellis
On the European ladder, Pirelli supply tyres in F2, and various F3 and F4 championships as drivers attempt to make it to Formula 1. A number of drivers have previously spoken about this once they moved over to Indy NXT.
Asked by Pit Debrief on Monday about how they compare, Abbi Pulling felt you could push on the Firestones immediately. Overheating can be a big issue on Pirellis if you push too hard too soon.
“Yeah, the Firestones are very different. They’re less delicate. Pirellis are notorious for being very delicate.
“And that makes it all a bit more aggressive on the early laps, which is nice for the driver to not be restricted so much by the tyre. But I mean, the Pirelli is good for what they do as well.
“I don’t have a preference, they’re both great tyres. It’s just a different perspective, let’s say, the two differences in the tyres.”
