Bianca Bustamante signs with McLaren Development Program

F1 Academy racer Bianca Bustamante got a major boost after becoming the newest addition to the McLaren Driver Development program.

Bustamante’s signing becomes historic as she becomes the first female driver to join the British team’s development program.

As part of the program, the 18-year-old will represent McLaren on the 2024 F1 Academy grid and run their livery, switching to race with ART Grand Prix.

“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,” Bustamante told formula1.com.

“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.

By joining the McLaren, Bustamante will be under the guidance of former McLaren test driver, Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro.

“I look forward to working with Bianca on her development as a racing driver. We’re also excited for Bianca to be representing the team in the F1 Academy series and we look forward to seeing her race in papaya in 2024,” Pirro said.

For now, Bustamante is focused on finishing off the F1 Academy season strongly in Austin with PREMA Racing, but she expressed her excitement to work immediately on the 2024 season.

“I’ve never been more motivated in my life!” she said.

Bustamante began her journey in the inaugural season of the F1 Academy at Austria’s Red Bull Ring, where she secured a P3 finish that was later being elevated to P2 due to an opponent’s technical infringement. She also claimed her maiden win at the Spring Race of Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain last May, followed by her first Feature Race triumph in Monza last July.