By Patricia Lanzagarita
Bianca Bustamante, a top-notch Filipina female talent in motorsports, became the first female driver to join the McLaren Driver Development program.
She will also represent McLaren in the 2024 season of F1 Academy and will race with ART Grand Prix.
The 18-year-old Filipina driver said that she still gets emotional whenever she sees her name emblazoned next to McLaren, as she knows that the history of the team is admirable.
“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.
Bianca expresses her gratitude for this opportunity to take her career to the next level by having the best possible development structure. She also shares her future goals for next year.
“In 2024 my aim is to establish consistency and improve my mental strength in order to make a title challenge in the coming F1 Academy season,” the female driver stated.
Currently, she aims to finish off the 2023 F1 Academy happening in Austin, United States before working for the next season.
She thanked all of the people who supported her along the way including her sponsors and supporters.
“I’ve never been more motivated in my life! I am full of gratitude, and I promise to give it my all,” enthused.
Bianca Bustamante is a Laguna native. She is a senior high school student at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
Source: McLaren (https://bit.ly/494C3iH)
(ai/mnm)