Bianca Bustamante wraps up F1 Academy journey

Photo from racerbia/Instagram

Filipino American racing sensation Bianca Bustamante capped off her F1 Academy season with a strong showing at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, representing ART Grand Prix in what marked the final chapter of her two-year stint in the groundbreaking racing series.

In an Instagram post, the first Filipina McLaren Development driver reflected on the highs and lows of her season, describing it as a journey of immense growth and learning. 

“I gave it my all this weekend because I wanted to finish the season strong,” she wrote, noting that while her team had the pace, results often eluded them.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bianca Bustamante 🏁 (@racerbia)

The 18-year-old racer ended the season ranked P7 overall, a result she candidly admitted was six spots lower than her personal target.

Despite this, she expressed gratitude for the lessons gained from her team and mentors, including McLaren’s Driver Development Program and her ART GP coaches. 

Bustamante also extended thanks to her teammates, Aurelian Nobels and Lia Block, for their support throughout the season.

“This season was full of potential,” Bustamante shared, “and though it didn’t always reflect in the results, it only motivates me to build on everything I’ve learned this year for the 2025 season.”

Her stint at F1 Academy, which began in Austria in 2023, marked a transformative period in her career. As one of the pioneering women in the series, Bustamante credited F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff and her team for creating a platform that amplifies female talent in motorsport.

While she bids farewell to F1 Academy, Bustamante is far from slowing down. Looking ahead, she is eager to rejoin the traditional racing ladder and compete in co-ed circuits.

With a determined spirit and invaluable experience in her arsenal, the future holds boundless opportunities for this young trailblazer.

“I can’t wait for what is to come as I look ahead to the future, jumping back into the traditional racing ladder against the boys!” she concluded with optimism.