Bianca Bustamante parts ways with McLaren
Bianca Bustamante / Photo from racerbia/Instagram
Filipino American racing prodigy Bianca Bustamante is set to embark on a new challenge as she bids farewell to McLaren’s driver development program.
Having completed the maximum two seasons in F1 Academy – where she secured seventh place in both campaigns and became the first Filipina in the program – the 19-year-old is shifting gears for the next stage of her career, this time outside the British racing powerhouse’s umbrella.
Bustamante confirmed her departure through an Instagram post, where she reflected on her time with McLaren and the F1 Academy.
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“Feels like first day of school again,” she shared, marking the beginning of a fresh journey as she steps into the Tatuus MSV GB3-025 for testing.
Excited yet sentimental, she described her McLaren tenure as “an invaluable experience” and expressed gratitude toward the team, including McLaren CEO Zak Brown and other key figures who guided her along the way.
Despite parting ways with McLaren, Bustamante is embracing her next big opportunity: competing in the 2025 GB3 Championship with Elite Motorsport.
With Round 1 set to take place in April at the legendary Silverstone Circuit, she is fully focused on making an impact in her new racing environment.
“But this new beginning also marks the end of my 2 year stint with F1 Academy and McLaren this whole journey will have a bookmark as my favourite chapter of my career to date,” she wrote. “I learned so much during my 2 years in the @f1academy, and it’s prepared me well in many ways for the next step in my racing career, truly proud to be a graduate of F1 Academy.”
Her departure from McLaren closes a defining chapter in her young career, but Bustamante remains determined to push forward.
“I look back at my time with McLaren with a full heart, but now it’s eyes forward and full focus on my biggest challenge yet in the @gb3championship with @elitemotorsport_ round 1 kicks off in April at Silverstone,” she concluded.
