Bianca Bustamante joins McLaren development program ahead of F1 Academy series' second season
The Filipina Bianca Bustamante has become the first woman to join McLaren's driver development program.
Bianca Bustamante, 18, has been involved in motorsport since the age of five, winning several kart championships throughout Asia.
McLaren's development program has brought drivers like Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, and Lando Norris to the grid in recent decades.
"Signing with McLaren is above anything I could have dreamed of when I raced go-karts in the Philippines. I still find it hard to see my name alongside McLaren without getting sentimental, because of the legacy and history that this team has and that leaves me speechless," said Bustamante.
"I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I believe I have the perfect structure around me to take the next step in my career."
The Director of McLaren Racing Driver Development, Emanuele Pirro, commented that Bianca Bustamante is "a young promising talent who has a brilliant work ethic and is aligned with our values as a team. I am excited to work with Bianca in her development as a driver, and we are also excited for her to represent the team in the F1 Academy series."
The F1 Academy series will have two changes in its second season. The first is that it will align its calendar with Formula 1, and the second is that all ten teams in the 'Grand Circus' will have a presence in the women's competition, supporting one of the drivers.
McLaren was the first to announce their driver, Filipina Bianca Bustamante.
In her sporting life, Bianca Bustamante has competed in the W Series, the Formula 4 of the United Arab Emirates, the Formula 4 of Italy, and in the F1 Academy, a championship exclusively for women that was inaugurated this year. With one race remaining, Bustamante is seventh in the standings, with two victories and two podiums, 132 points behind the leader, Spanish driver Marta García.