The young racer performed quite well over the weekend in Spain.
Things are turning out roses for Filipina racer Bianca Bustamante, who is currently in Spain as one of fifteen racers handpicked to compete in the F1 Academy's inaugural season.
The 18-year-old charmer was actually the first racer signed up by PREMA Racing back in February, and she wasted no time showing she belongs, immediately impressing F1 driver Esteban Ocon of the Alpine F1 Tea for being “super strong,” “super talented,” and having an understanding of “how things should be done.”
All those traits were on full display over the weekend as Bustamante amassed 18 points after three races to finish at 6th place overall—and within reach of a top 3 finish. Bustamante's Round 1 over the weekend actually started with a bang as she took full advantage of prime grid position to finish 2nd in Race 1, just behind PREMA Racing teammate and current overall leader Marta Garcia.
Bustamante followed up her strong debut with another top 10 finish in Race 2, this time coming in 9th despite being placed on the reverse grid by virtue of her finishing in the top 8 in Race 1. Amna Al Qubaisi of MP Motorsport won Race 2 and was, along with Bustamante, among six different podium finishers in the first two races.
Unfortunately, Bustamante was unable to finish Race 3 as she retired after only two laps. This DNC (Did Not Compete) proved costly for the Filipina racer, who could have zoomed all the way to the top five in the standings had she finished the day’s final race.
Despite her Race 3 troubles, Bustamante’s first weekend racing in Spain was quite eventful—and perhaps a preview of what could very well be a bright future for the young, amiable racer.
Bustamante will try to build on her strong opening weekend in Round 2, which is scheduled from May 5 to 7 at Valencia, Spain.