Heads up, Papaya fans!
Filipina racer Bianca Bustamante on Wednesday, Oct. 18, signed with McLaren’s F1 development program, making history as its first female race driver.
"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 said in an interview with Formula1.
"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.
Welcome to the family, @RacerBia! 🧡
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) October 18, 2023
We're proud to announce Bianca Bustamante has joined our Driver Development programme! 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/O3ZjM2q2eg
She considered this “best possible development structure” as a springboard for her career.
"For now, my focus is to finish off the F1 Academy season strongly here in Austin, but we’ll get to work immediately on the 2024 season. I've never been more motivated in my life! A big thanks goes to Susie Wolff and the team at F1 Academy for fighting so hard for us girls and to give us this opportunity to be the best we can be,” she said.
Bustamante will represent McLaren for the F1 Academy season in 2024.
