It’s a huge morale-booster for the young driver to become one of the best in a sport dominated by men.
F1 driver Esteban Ocon of the Alpine F1 Team is impressed by a very talented and promising Filipina driver.
In a video that went viral recently, Ocon spoke about Filipina teen racer Bianca Bustamante, saying she was “super strong” and “super talented.”
The two met at Ocon’s training center.
“I trained with a young girl named Bianca. She was the first to arrive and the last to depart, it was a crazy thing,” said Ocon, who is currently 12th in F1’s 2023 Driver Standings with 4 points. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are leading the pack while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz round out the top 5 early this season.
Bustamante's commitment, though, is not the thing that impressed Ocon the most.
“She had a gift right away. She understands how things should be done,” he said of the 18-year-old Filipina, who is competing in the F1 Academy with PREMA.
“While I have been doing this for years, I was doing the same exercises. She immediately managed to impress me,” Ocon added.
Bustamante, who also competed in the W Series in 2019, took to social media to express her gratitude for the kind words.
“Many will know that I value hard work on and off track. To have one of my idols give me such recognition makes everything feel worth it!” said the two-time Junior Asian Karting Open Overall Champion.
"Thank you @estebanocon for the kindest words and supporting women in motorsport.”
A three-time Philippine Driver of the Year in Karting, Bustamante is hopeful her gains will help pave the way for women who aspire to excel in the F1, which last saw a woman take the driver's seat way back in the 1970s.
Filipino fans are rooting for Bustamante to become the next one. And, if Ocon's assessment proves true, it appears the young Filipina has what it takes to make history.