Bianca Bustamante shows grit in Formula Winter Series debut despite tough start

Photo from @racerbia/Instagram

In her maiden appearance at the Formula Winter Series held at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain from Feb. 9 to 11, Filipino American racing prodigy Bianca Bustamante showcased resilience and determination, despite finishing at P35.

Reflecting on her performance, the McLaren driver took to Instagram to share her thoughts, admitting that it wasn’t the race weekend she had hoped for to kick off the season.

Although facing challenges throughout the weekend, including variable wet and dry conditions and adapting to new tires, she remained undeterred in her pursuit of excellence.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bianca Bustamante 🏁 (@racerbia)

“I struggled all weekend in Jerez to get into a rhythm, and it ended with tough results,” she confessed. “However, I pushed hard in the races to make the most of it and still learned a lot in each race.”

Acknowledging the areas that need improvement, the 19-year-old Fil-Am athlete remained optimistic, emphasizing the importance of regrouping and refocusing for the upcoming race in Valencia for the second leg of the series from Feb. 16 to 18.

With a steadfast commitment to continuous growth and learning, she expressed gratitude to her team and supporters for their unwavering encouragement.

“Full focus and staying positive is important, so I will take that forward and keep working,” Bustamante affirmed. “Thanks for all of your support, and big thanks to my team for the hard work. Together we will get there, and I aim to turn it around. Let’s keep pushing.”

The series of racing events in Spain served as a stepping stone for the racer as she gears up for a full-season campaign in the prestigious F1 Academy.