Orthodox Christian monk Father Spyridon locks the chapel of the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa as the Aegean Sea is seen in the background, in Amorgos island, Greece, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
PORTOBELO, Panama (AP) — At dawn, pilgrims like Ernesto Troya undertook the hardest stretch of their journey to reach the statue of the Black Christ of Portobelo in Panama. Moved by faith, they crawled for several hours along the street toward the image of the saint.It is one of the most striking scenes to happen every year in the northern province of Colón. Every Oct. 21, the province celebrates the festival of the Black Christ of Portobelo. It is considered one of the largest Catholic pilgrimages in the Central American country and dates back centuries.
Portobelo is a tourist destination that is part of Panama’s historical and cultural heritage. The city served as a port and trade center during the Spanish colonial times in the Caribbean Sea.The San Felipe Church, which houses the Black Christ, stands in Portobelo, Panama, early Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)The San Felipe Church, which houses the Black Christ, stands in Portobelo, Panama, early Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A tattoo of Christ covers the chest of pilgrim Ernesto Troya who crawls to San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)A tattoo of Christ covers the chest of pilgrim Ernesto Troya who crawls to San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A pilgrim carries a replica of the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, early Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A pilgrim carries a replica of the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, early Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)The unprecedented attention on F1 Academy compared to other development series means that moving up means leaving the spotlight — at least for now.
Pulling’s reward for winning the title was a fully-funded seat in the British-based GB3 series this year. That costs far more than Pulling could have paid and gives her a much faster car, but has a fraction of F1 Academy’s audience.Bustamante, who uses her social media influencer skills to keep her career moving, has also raised the funds to join Pulling in GB3, while other ex-F1 Academy drivers like 2023 champion Marta Garcia have moved into sportscar racing.
Drivers get a maximum two years in F1 Academy, with their costs heavily subsidized by F1. The vast costs of auto racing — which only increase as the cars get more expensive and powerful — mean that failure in F1 Academy could easily end a career.“I don’t shy away from the harsh realities of sport,” Wolff said. “So failure will become part of the journey for many drivers who are not racing at the front.”