Meet Bianca Bustamante, McLaren’s first Filipina racer
Photo from racerbia/Instagram
As a nation of avid basketball fans, we sometimes tend to overlook the victories of Filipino athletes in other sports. Shifting our focus away from the hoops, we’re delving into the fast-paced world of racing.
In the realm of motorsport where speed, precision, and determination reign supreme, 18-year-old Bianca Bustamante is carving her name in history.
Let’s get to know this young Filipina racer whose trajectory is definitely racing to the top.
Bianca Bustamante is the first Filipina to join the McLaren Driver Development program
A true trailblazer, Bustamante is set to don the iconic McLaren orange as she races for ART Grand Prix in the highly anticipated 2024 F1 Academy season. This prodigy hailing from the Philippines is poised to redefine the future of women in motorsport.
McLaren took to Instagram and warmly welcomed the racer to their family. “Welcome to the family, @racerbia! Bianca Bustamante joins our Driver Development programme as she continues to race in F1 Academy!”
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For the uninitiated, the program has nurtured talents such as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, and is dedicated to assisting promising racers in their journey towards the most prestigious events in the world of motorsport, including F1.
She hails from Laguna
Attention, residents of Laguna, you have a one-of-a-kind motorsport racer right in your town.
Hailing from Laguna and San Jose, California, she cultivated her passion for racing from a young age, beginning her journey in go-karting at the age of three. This passion has carried her from the landscapes of her two homelands to the grand stages of international motorsport.
She’s the first Filipina to win an F1 Academy race
In 2022, Bustamante marked her entry into single-seater racing by competing in the W Series Championship, where she earned the distinction of being the top rookie.
This became her stepping stone to the highest echelons of international motorsport. As a top rookie, she embarked on a globe-trotting journey, racing in different corners of the world, all in pursuit of her dreams.
On top of that, she became the first Filipina to win a Formula 1 Academy race where she teared up on the podium.
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She takes extra care of her body
The young Filipina knows that her physical and mental conditioning must be second to none. Racing at breakneck speeds in the F1 circuit places immense strain on a driver’s body. To withstand the G-forces and maintain peak performance during the races, she dedicates herself to rigorous training, focusing on her neck and core muscles.
Her commitment to her craft and her determination to overcome any challenge make her a formidable force on the track.
She posted one of her workout routines with a caption, “Never back down, never what??????”
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She’s an empowered woman in the field of racing
In a sport that has traditionally been male-dominated, Bustamante stands as a symbol of hope and inspiration for aspiring female racers worldwide.
As the first female driver to join the British team’s development program, she serves as an example of what can be achieved through talent and hard work, proving that there’s no reason why a woman cannot compete.
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In addition to her accolades, she was awarded as the TikTok PH Sports Creator of the Year, where she expressed, “Let’s continue celebrating the highs and highlighting the lows one video at a time!! And even add a touch of dancing videos.”
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As the Philippines and the world eagerly watch her career unfold, Bustamante’s journey stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dare to dream. She’s on the verge of introducing motorsports to Filipinos, one race and one victory at a time.
