F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante is gearing up for the final two races of the season as she prepares to graduate from the series. The 19-year-old recently participated in the last in-season test of the year at Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit, where she shared her thoughts on her journey so far.
The three-day test presented a mix of challenges and opportunities for the Filipino driver, with Lusail’s intense heat, high-speed corners, and demanding tire management putting both her and the car to the test.
Despite a rocky start, she steadily improved over the sessions, finishing within the top 10 on the final day. Currently ranked 7th in the driver standings, Bustamante is poised to secure a top-10 finish for the second consecutive season, positioning her well for the next step in her motorsport journey.
The F1 Academy Journey and McLaren Partnership
As Bianca Bustamante approaches the end of her final season with F1 Academy, she reflected on how the program has shaped her career:
“F1 Academy has been my home for the past two years. Everyone, you know, not just in my team, but the whole F1 Academy organisation… they’ve been nothing but a great help on track and off track.”
Her partnership with McLaren has been another key contributor to her development, offering opportunities to learn from established drivers like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The chance to work with such talent and access McLaren’s advanced resources has fueled her growth and prepared her for the next steps in her career.
“Learning from the right people, learning from Lando, from Oscar, and kind of having them as role models is like the best scenario.”
Reflecting on the role F1 Academy has played in providing essential exposure and skills, Bustamante added:
“Being linked to F1 Academy definitely opened the doors for me. F1 Academy is a stepping stone to making it to F3, F2, and the upper ladder of racing.”
“It’s always going to be a great part of my career that I always look back to with a smile. And honestly, I just can’t wait for what’s coming next year.”
Impressions From Formula E Women’s Test
Earlier this month, Bianca Bustamante reached a major milestone by joining McLaren for the Formula E Women’s Test, where she delivered an impressive third-place finish after months of dedicated simulator preparation.
“I actually was already working with the NEOM McLaren team on the sim since early this year in hopes that, in the future, I could get behind the real car and behind the wheel of the real car. And, you know, it was finally a reality last week in Madrid. And it was, of course, as amazing as I expected it to be.”
Working alongside McLaren’s engineers and fellow drivers Sam Bird and Taylor Barnard, Bustamante quickly adapted to the electric single-seater, a significant leap from her current F4 machinery. She highlighted the professionalism and equality she experienced within the Formula E setup:
“I was treated very equally compared to the other drivers. There was a lot of professionalism and proficiency, which is a huge step working with junior Formula teams.”
Looking ahead, Bustamante is optimistic about her potential future in Formula E:
“I definitely see myself driving these cars in the future. It’s an amazing championship and very competitive.”
The Future of Driver Bianca Bustamante
As the 19-year-old looks beyond F1 Academy, she is preparing for the transition to faster and more advanced cars. Her recent GB3 test at Monza showcased her potential to adapt quickly to the demands of higher downforce vehicles.
“We were three tenths, four tenths off the pace. The faster the car is, actually, the quicker I was in terms of references.”
Testing the GB3 car highlighted the differences in driving technique required for higher downforce vehicles compared to her F4 experience. She found the leap to faster cars both challenging and motivating, reinforcing her readiness to move up the racing ladder.
“I feel like F4 is a great learning for young drivers, but the aerodynamics, the speed of the car is, you know, very limited.”
“It was very eye-opening for me… I wasn’t expecting to actually be able to be so close to the reference like that and close down the gap, which for me was great.”
With just two rounds left in the F1 Academy season, driver Bianca Bustamante is focused on solidifying her position in the top 10 and carrying forward the momentum she’s built. Armed with the skills and confidence gained from F1 Academy, her McLaren partnership, and recent milestones, she’s ready to embrace the next chapter in her motorsport journey.
Featured Image Credit: F1 Academy
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