Bianca Bustamante Becomes First Filipina Female Driver to Join McLaren Development Program
Filipina Bianca Bustamante becomes the first female driver that will join McLaren Development Program after signing a contract.
Bianca Bustamante, an F1 Academy racer, has officially joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme. This significant move comes as she prepares to conclude her season with the Italian team PREMA Racing at the finale weekend of the inaugural F1 Academy season in Austin.
Transitioning to McLaren, she will compete under the banner of ART Grand Prix in the upcoming 2024 F1 Academy season. According to F1’s official website, this makes Bustamante the first female driver to become part of this development programme, designed to support young racers in advancing their motorsport careers.
In her statement, Bustamante expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and her excitement to join the team. “This is such an unreal moment in my career, to sign with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is way beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined growing up racing karts in the Philippines,” she said.
“I still have a hard time seeing my name next to McLaren without getting emotional, as the history and heritage linked to this team leaves me truly speechless,” she added in a report.
Bustamante’s enrollment in McLaren’s esteemed driver development initiative marks her as the first female driver to be part of this prestigious program. She will receive guidance from the experienced former McLaren test driver, Formula 1 driver, and Le Mans winner, Emanuele Pirro.
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, extended a warm welcome to Bustamante.The young Filipina driver aims to build upon her successful season, during which she claimed two victories for PREMA in the 7-round season.
Currently, she holds the 7th position in the driver’s championship, accumulating 102 points. The Circuit of the Americas will host three remaining races in the season. Her PREMA teammate, Marta Garcia, is leading the championship with 235 points. Bustamante achieved her first career win at the F1 Academy Race back in May.
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