F1 Academy star Bianca Bustamante has joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme and will compete in the series in 2024 as the team's nominated driver. Bianca is the first driver to have been nominated following the news earlier this year that all 10 Formula 1 teams will select an F1 Academy driver to represent them next season.
The 18-year-old Filipino driver is the first woman to join McLaren's Driver Development Programme, newly launched in 2023 and led by Le Mans winner, former F1 driver and former McLaren test driver Emanuele Pirro. The main aim of the programme is to help drivers to progress towards IndyCar, Formula E and Formula 1 and Bianca joins the initiative alongside Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward & F3 driver Gabriel Bortoleto. Over the years, McLaren's various development programmes have helped to produce and nature major racing talent such as Lando Norris and Sir Lewis Hamilton.
On Bianca joining the team, Programme Director Emanuele Pirro said: “I’m pleased that Bianca is joining our Driver Development programme. She’s a promising young talent who has a brilliant work ethic and is aligned closely to our team’s values. I look forward to working with Bianca on her development as a racing driver. We’re also excited for Bianca to be representing the team in the F1 Academy series and we look forward to seeing her race in papaya in 2024.”
Bianca is an extremely promising talent in motorsport and at such a young age has already had a very impressive career. Starting to race at age 5, she has since gained a great amount of experience competing in the likes of USF Juniors, W Series, the F4 UAE Championship and the Italian F4 Championship. Bianca was the second competitor announced for F1 Academy's inaugural season in 2023 and is the first Filipino to win an F1 Academy race, receiving congratulations from the President of the Philippines. With just one round left to go, Bianca has achieved 4 podiums, 2 wins and 1 pole this season and is currently 7th in the championship. This season Bianca competed as a member of the Prema Racing team but will be making the switch to ART Grand Prix in 2024.
Speaking on this massive step in her career, Bianca said: "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. 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."
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity as I believe I now have the best possible development structure around me to take the next step up in my career, and for this I am so thankful. 2023 was all about improving my speed which I demonstrated across several races this year, but in 2024 my aim is to establish consistency and improve my mental strength in order to make a title challenge in the coming F1 Academy season."
“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. Additional thanks go to Zak Brown, Andrea Stella, Emanuele Pirro, Sebastian Philippe, my sponsors, and all my supporters for believing in me and making this all possible. I am full of gratitude, and I promise to give it my all."
In addition to this news, F1 Academy announced the 2024 season calendar which once again features 7 rounds, however all 7 rounds shall align with the F1 calendar and see the series visit Saudi Arabia (07-09 March), Miami (03-05 May), Spain (21-23 June), the Netherlands (23-25 August), Singapore (20-22 September), Qatar (29-01 December) & Abu Dhabi (06-08 December).
This weekend from Friday to Sunday, the final round of the F1 Academy 2023 Season will take place in Austin, Texas alongside Formula 1, and for the first time will be broadcasted internationally for millions of racing fans.
A reminder of the full list of countries & broadcasters:
Pan Africa* - Supersport
Australia - Fox Sports Australia, Foxtel & Kayo Sports
Austria - ORF
Brazil - Bandeirantes
Canada - TSN
Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Poland, Iceland & Baltics - Viaplay
France - Canal+
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg & Lichtenstein - Sky Germany
Greece - ANT1+
Italy, San Marino & Vatican State - Sky Italy
Latin America & the Caribbean* - ESPN
MENA* - MBC / SSC / Shahid
Mexico - Fox Sports
New Zealand - Sky New Zealand
Spain & Andorra - DAZN F1
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands the Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland - Sky UK
United States of America, including Guam, U.S Virgin Islands and American Samoa - ESPN
* multi-territory broadcasts
In addition to the full list of international broadcasters, all the live coverage will also be accessible via Youtube, X, Facebook and F1 TV.
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