McLaren development driver Bianca Bustamante of the Philippines finished her second and final season in F1 Academy.
MANILA, Philippines — Filipina racer Bianca Bustamante finished seventh in her second and final season in F1 Academy, as she concluded her first year with McLaren with a two-race points finish last weekend in Abu Dhabi.
Bustamante, a native of Santa Rosa, Laguna, announced that she would be heading to another series after competing in F1 Academy’s first two seasons, as she moves on to her latest step to achieving her dream of reaching Formula 1.
While she has yet to announce where her career is headed, Bustamante reflected on her seesaw year, after struggling in the latter half of the 2024 F1 Academy season.
“What a year it has been! I gave it my all for my final F1 Academy race weekend because I wanted to finish this season strong, but things just didn't come together like much of the season. We wrapped the season in P7 overall, 6 spots lower than I would've wanted, but I'm so grateful for everything I've learned this season,” said Bustamante.
“Unfortunately, sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don't - this season was the latter. Nevertheless, it only motivates me more to take everything I learned and build on it this winter for the 2025 season.” she added.
As a feeder series, drivers are only given a maximum of two seasons in F1 Academy. Now that she’s completed her course with wins and learning curves along the way, the 19-year-old said that she’s eager to implement everything she’s learned.
Having simultaneously competed in other series like F4 races, Bustamante alluded to similar forays at the turn of the new year.
“I will look back fondly on my F1 Academy years and be proud of what we have achieved from these two seasons. I am excited to look ahead to my future racing program as I return to the traditional racing ladder with both male and female racers on the grids,” said the driver.
She also took to social media to share similar sentiments, and included highlights of her F1 Academy season — including one podium with McLaren.
After scoring twice in three races in the last F1 Academy race of the season, Bustamante also celebrated McLaren’s recent F1 Constructors’ Championship victory over the weekend.