Towards the back of the pack, the Kick Sauber of Carrie Schreiner made contact with Lola Lovinfosse, with the Charlotte Tilbury driver subsequently handed a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision. Schreiner was forced to retire as a result of the impact, with Amna Al Qubaisi also handed a 10-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage when taking avoiding action.
As the race reached its halfway point, with Pulling still chasing down the leader Chambers, the Haas driver made a crucial mistake going in too deep at Turn 12. Pulling took full advantage of the error, later sweeping up the inside to reclaim first place.
F1 ACADEMY: Pulling sweeps all three pole positions in Abu Dhabi
Behind the battling pair up front, Nerea Martí and Maya Weug were also involved in an exciting tussle for fifth throughout the race, with the Ferrari of Weug eventually securing the place on Lap 10. Bustamante then tried to attack Martí for sixth, with the Tommy Hilfiger driver doing her best to keep her at bay.
Despite having a 10-second penalty to her name, Amna Al Qubaisi was still keen to put on a show for her home fans and tried to pass Emely De Heus for eighth with three laps to go. Tina Hausmann and Lia Block soon found themselves involved in the fight too, with Hausmann going around the outside of Al Qubaisi to take ninth and Block – who also picked up a five-second penalty for a jump start – soon passing Al Qubaisi for 10th.
