September 17, 2024

Bianca Bustamante's lovable reaction to meeting F1 legend Lewis Hamilton is everything

Bianca Bustamante
Instagram/Bianca Bustamante

What were you doing at 18 years old?

We're guessing you were not chatting with Formula One (F1) legend Lewis Hamilton.

Because you're not Bianca Bustamante.

The Filipina racer, who was recently signed by McLaren in a historic development, got to meet one of her idols during the F1 Academy race in Austin, Texas. 

The 38-year-old Hamilton started his illustrious F1 career with McLaren, driving for the team from 2007 to 2012 before moving to Mercedes. He is tied with legend Michael Schumacher for most F1 titles with seven and holds the record for most wins, most podium finishes, and most pole positions.

That's why it was perfectly understandable for Bustamante to geek out and become starry-eyed when he talked with Hamilton.



"I think I went a bit viral with my reaction because of how I was looking out to Lewis," said the Laguna native with a laugh in an interview with ESPN F1. "I was like (the meme) 'Get yourself someone that looks at you the way Bianca looks at Lewis.'"

Like Bustamante, Hamilton also started out with the development program of McLaren. He later became the youngest driver to secure a contract that led to an F1 stint.

"Obviously, Lewis is one of my heroes, for sure. I think we came up through the same difficulties in life, especially in junior Formula. It's always so nice to see someone who puts his actions to his words whenever he says that he would support women in sports. That's always what he's done. It's just beautiful to see," added Bustamante.

Bustamante finished 7th among 15 drivers in Race 1 of the inaugural F1 Academy season, where she won two races. Her Prema Racing teammate Marta Garcia took the championship trophy. 

RELATED STORY: Future is female: History-maker Bianca Bustamante tears up after getting McLaren uniform

The Filipina was optimistic heading into Race 2.

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With Hamilton supporting her, Bustamante will only get better. 

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