McLaren recruits Bianca Bustamante as development driver
The British stable announced this Wednesday the arrival of the 18-year-old Philippine, Bianca Bustamante, from the 2024 season as a development driver. She will drive in the F1 Academy under the colors of McLaren next year with ART GP.
McLaren continues to fill its development program. After signing Rio Hirakawa and F3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, the team based in Woking has just announced the arrival of Bianca Bustamante for 2024 in a development driver role.
The 18-year-old from the Philippines is racing in the F1 Academy this season with Prema. She has two victories and is ranked 7th in the standings before the last round in Austin this weekend. Bianca Bustamante, who previously raced in the W Series and Formula 4 Italy, will become the first woman to hold this role within the team.
She will drive for a second season in F1 Academy in 2024, this time with ART GP, and will sport the colors of McLaren on her livery as is often the case in promotion formulas.
« It’s such an unreal moment in my career, signing with McLaren and ART Grand Prix goes far beyond anything I could have imagined growing up racing go-karts in the Philippines. » savor Bustamante. « I still have trouble seeing my name next to McLaren without being moved, so much the history and heritage attached to this team really leave me speechless. »
« I am very grateful for this opportunity because I believe I now have the best possible development structure around me to take a new step in my career, and for that I am very grateful. I have never been so motivated in my life! A big thank you to Susie Wolff and the F1 Academy team for fighting so hard for us, the girls, and for giving us this opportunity to be the best possible.»
Within McLaren’s development program, Bianca Bustamante joins Gabriel Bortoleto, reigning F3 champion, Rio Hirakawa, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Pato O’Ward, Indycar driver and the young Ugo Ugochukwu, who should arrive in F3 next year.
Welcome to the family, @RacerBia! 🧡
We’re proud to announce Bianca Bustamante has joined our Driver Development programme! 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/O3ZjM2q2eg
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) October 18, 2023
(Note: The text given is already in English, so no translation is needed.)
