2026 | GB3 | Spa-Francorchamps | Race 1 | Pulling makes history with faultless victory

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Abbi Pulling delivered a composed and commanding performance to claim victory in the delayed opening 2026 GB3 Championship race of the weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. The Rodin Motorsport driver converted pole position into a landmark win, becoming the first female driver to stand on the top step of the podium in GB3.

Moreover, the 2024 F1 Academy champion handled a mid-race safety car restart with precision, keeping championship leader Nikita Bedrin at bay in the closing stages. As a result, Pulling secured a memorable breakthrough victory by just over six tenths of a second.

Pulling controls the start after long weather delay

The race eventually got underway on Saturday afternoon after thunderous showers earlier in the day forced the abandonment of the original start procedure. Around five hours later, sunshine returned to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, allowing Race 1 to begin with the original grid order retained.

Starting from pole, which she secured during Friday’s first Qualifying session, Pulling made the ideal launch. She immediately held the lead on the run towards Les Combes, while those behind became embroiled in early battles.

Behind her, Nikita Bedrin and Martin Molnar fought for position, allowing Pulling to build a gap of more than a second by the end of the opening lap. Consequently, the Rodin Motorsport driver quickly placed herself in control of the race.

Safety Car forces Pulling to do it again

However, Pulling’s early advantage was soon wiped away. A tangle involving Rowan Campbell-Pilling and Patricio Gonzalez, combined with Peter Bouzinelos becoming stranded, brought out the safety car and neutralised the race.

That meant Pulling had to manage the field once again. Despite pressure from teammate Maxim Rehm behind, she timed the restart expertly, waiting until late before accelerating away as the pack approached the Bus Stop chicane.

Crucially, she built enough of a margin to deny her rivals a meaningful slipstream up the Kemmel Straight. From there, Pulling settled back into rhythm, creating another cushion through Spa’s middle sector.

Bedrin passes Rehm but cannot catch Pulling

For lap after lap, Pulling appeared calm and in control at the head of the field. Although the gap remained close enough to keep the pressure on, she consistently stayed far enough ahead to neutralise the threat from behind.

Her task was also helped by a fierce battle for second place. Bedrin repeatedly applied pressure to Rehm before finally making the move on the penultimate lap at Les Combes.

Nevertheless, the VRD Racing driver was unable to close down Pulling in the time remaining. Pulling crossed the line 0.607s clear to secure a historic victory, while Bedrin extended his championship momentum with second. Rehm completed the podium in third for Rodin Motorsport.

Behind them, Martin Molnar finished fourth to complete a strong team result for Rodin. Hitech’s Jin Nakamura took fifth ahead of Xcel Motorsport’s Lucas Fluxá, while Kirill Kutskov and Flynn Jackes finished seventh and eighth respectively.

Dante Vinci and Lewis Gilbert completed the top ten, securing points for Hillspeed and Arden Motorsport.

The final race of the weekend, Race 2, is scheduled to start at 11:36 on Sunday.