McLaren Welcomes Bianca Bustamante as the First Female Driver in their Driver Development Program.
Formula One Academy racer, Bianca Bustamante, has recently made history by becoming the first female driver to join the prestigious McLaren Driver Development program. The 18-year-old’s signing has been met with enthusiasm by motorsport enthusiasts around the world.
Under the program, Bustamante will not only represent McLaren on the 2024 F1 Academy grid but also race with ART Grand Prix, donning McLaren’s official livery. The young talent expressed her excitement, stating that signing with McLaren and ART Grand Prix was beyond anything she could have imagined in her career.
“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,” Bustamante confessed in an interview with formula1.com.
Bustamante will have the invaluable guidance of Emanuele Pirro, a former McLaren test driver, Formula 1 driver, and Le Mans winner. Pirro expressed his eagerness in working with the young driver and helping her develop her racing career. He also added that the team is thrilled for Bustamante to represent them in the F1 Academy series and is looking forward to seeing her race in the iconic papaya livery in 2024.
While currently focused on finishing the F1 Academy season strongly with PREMA Racing in Austin, Bustamante is also excited to begin preparations for the 2024 season.
“I’ve never been more motivated in my life!” she exclaimed.
Bustamante embarked on her journey in the inaugural season of the F1 Academy at Austria’s Red Bull Ring, securing an impressive P3 finish that was later upgraded to P2 due to an opponent’s technical infringement. She continued to make strides in her career, securing her maiden win at the Spring Race of Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia last May, followed by her first Feature Race triumph in Monza in July.
As the first female driver in the McLaren Driver Development program, Bustamante’s accomplishment is not only a milestone for herself but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring female racers around the world.
