Round 2 in Review : Debut podiums and the start of an electric title battle in Miami

If there was one driver on a mission in Miami, it was Alpine’s Abbi Pulling. The Briton wasn’t going to let the chance of glory pass her by as she stormed to victory in both races in Round 2 of the 2024 F1 ACADEMY campaign.From home hero Chloe Chambers’ debut podium to Bianca Bustamante’s redemption on Sunday, there were many who shone in the Sunshine State. As the dust settles, we reflect on how our 16 contenders faired in points haul order.1. Abbi Pulling – 55 pointsAfter inheriting the Race 2 win in Jeddah, Abbi Pulling wanted to prove a point that she could earn her victories on track. Despite claiming the second-fastest time in Free Practice 1, she wasn’t quite settled with the car. This is where her maturity and partnership with Rodin Motorsport flourished, immediately ironing out those niggles to top FP2.Unstoppable from there on out, Pulling’s rivals couldn’t come close to her in Qualifying, taking both pole positions by over four tenths. A lock-up into the first corner in Race 1 didn't hold her back, as she pulled one-second clear by the end of the first lap and was five seconds ahead as she took the chequered flag. In full command of the Miami circuit, she replicated this feat in Race 2, only missing out on a clean sweep by one point for the fastest lap in the first race.Extending her Standings advantage from 11 to 34 points over Doriane Pin gives Pulling a useful buffer going forward, but the Alpine driver recognises how quickly the tables can turn in racing. Performances like these are hard to follow up and with the field well-versed around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, she’ll have to continue to step up her game with even stiffer competition expected next time out.Starting from pole once again, Pulling finished 3.8s clear of Bustamante in Race 2 2. Doriane Pin – 33 pointsIn most drivers’ books, a double podium finish would be a sign of success. However, Doriane Pin has only one goal in mind — to win. Seemingly adapting well to the Miami circuit with the fastest time in FP1, something appeared to be missing from there on out. Lacking the perfect balance in the #28 PREMA Racing car, she couldn’t make the same inroads that those around her did.Forced to settle for P2 for Race 1, the Mercedes driver was usurped by Bustamante on the front row for Race 2 and eventually the second step of the podium. Unlike her domination in Jeddah, Pin didn’t seem as comfortable with the machinery underneath her, trying to reign in the snaps of oversteer through the Turn 4-5 chicane and unable to keep up with Pulling’s rapid, race-leading pace.WATCH: HIGHLIGHTS: Pulling sweep Round 2 in Miami with Race 2 winAlthough it was not the weekend the Frenchwoman wanted, her 33 points still puts her in good stead, sitting second in the Standings. The title battle is just getting started and Pin won’t want to settle for anything less than the top step.3. Chloe Chambers – 27 pointsChloe Chambers had one task to tick off her racing bucket list in Miami, and the American driver did it in an impressive fashion — scoring Haas’ first podium. She had her work cut out for her starting from P7 in Race 1, but Chambers showed that she wasn’t afraid to put the graft in.Making the most out of the overtaking opportunities available, she pulled off a series of eye-catching moves, including sneaking past Maya Weug and Nerea Martí up the inside of the opening corner. Following this up with a climb from eighth to fourth in Race 2, she couldn’t quite close in on the leading trio.Undoubtedly making the States proud, Chambers has carved out a spot as one of this season’s frontrunners. Sitting fourth overall, she just needs to put together the Qualifying performance to match. If so, the top three will need to watch their backs for her rookie charge.Chambers made history in Miami, earning her and Haas' maiden podium at their home event4. Bianca Bustamante – 21 pointsWhat a rollercoaster Round 2 was for Bianca Bustamante! Saturday morning saw her riding the high of her P4 and P2 results in Qualifying, her consistency giving her the edge over the rest of the field. However, her joy immediately evaporated after stalling on the grid in Race 1 and she fought valiantly to salvage points in P9.Disciplined in her approach, the McLaren driver set about learning from her mistakes. Speaking post-Race 2, Bustamante revealed that she’d sat in the car 15 minutes earlier to run through her practice start procedures. Her redemption was richly rewarded with her first podium of the campaign in second, fending off Pin’s advances.Firing herself into title contention in fifth, Bustamante has clearly kicked her season up a notch. Dedicating her time to preparations at the ART Grand Prix factory and McLaren MTC, the Filipina must show that her speed can be sustained if she wants to bridge the 60-point gap to Pulling. 5. Nerea Martí – 18 pointsPodiums looked to be on the cards for Nerea Martí, but ultimately it wasn’t to be. Showing top three pace in Practice, Quali