McLaren has added Formula 1 Academy racer Bianca Bustamante to its Driver Development program. The 18-year-old Filipina woman is the first female driver to enroll in the program, F1 reports.
According to Sky Sports, Bustamante will also run McLaren’s livery on her F1 Academy race car during the 2024 season. The young driver is thrilled about her partnership with Mclaren.
“To sign with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is way beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined growing up racing karts in the Philippines,” Bustamante said, according to Sky Sports.
Bustamante believes the development program will help her achieve her goals.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity as I believe I now have the best possible development structure around me to take the next step up in my career, and for this I am so thankful. 2023 was all about improving my speed which I demonstrated across several races this year, but 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,” she said, according to F1.
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