The 16-year old makes the switch to Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series from the highly-competitive Ginetta GT5 Challenge, having previously contested the Ginetta Junior Championship.

Pulling also has a strong track record in karting, including a brace of Super 1 National Junior TKM Championship titles, making history as the first driver to take back-to-back title successes in the category.

She becomes the first driver confirmed at Derbyshire-based outfit JHR for the 2020 campaign, with news on her future team mates expected in due course.

Once again in 2020, the F4 British Championship will play a starring role as the sole single-seater support category on the UK’s premier motorsport package, the British Touring Car Championship.

That means trackside crowds in excess of 30,000 spectators at most events, along with live, free-to-air television coverage on ITV4.

“I’m really excited to drive with JHR Developments,” commented Pulling.

“I’ve been getting on well with the team, having a chat with people at the workshop when I’m having a break from using the simulator. We’re always having a laugh.

“It’s been challenging to learn the car, but we’ve worked hard and done lots of preparation on JHR’s simulator so it’s starting to go well. I’m matching the times Carter [Williams] set last year on the sim, which is good!

“Karting knowledge helps because the driving styles are similar, particularly in the wet. It is about being smooth and driving on your fingertips, though the car is a lot more physical than the Ginetta.”

Pulling’s aim for her debut season in single-seaters is clear; to establish herself amongst the next generation of motorsport stars and putting her experience into practice.

“I’m putting everything into this year,” she explained.

“I want to prove to myself that I can succeed at this level. I proved it to myself in karting and I know I can do it in cars too, it is just about building on my knowledge to have the speed on track, but I also want to make sure I keep having fun as well.”

JHR’s Team Manager Steven Hunter is elated at having Pulling on-board for 2020 and underlined his outfit’s commitment to developing the next generation of motorsport stars.

“We are very happy to have Abbi driving with us this year,” said Hunter.

“She was very impressive during the Scholarship Assessment Day at Silverstone in difficult conditions last year and has continued to show her speed during winter testing, as well as on our simulator.

“JHR Developments has a proud history of working with talented young drivers as they launch their careers and Abbi is no exception to this: she has proven ability in karting, and we are looking forward to helping her achievement the very best she can in single seaters.”

The 2020 season is scheduled to get underway at Donington Park, Leicestershire, over the weekend of 28-29 March.