The Filipina racing prodigy reflects on her growth as she winds down her stint at the F1 Academy.
As Bianca Bustamante gears up for the latter half of her final season in the F1 Academy (where drivers are allowed just two years to compete), she’s more focused and prepared than ever. After a brief return to her roots in the Philippines, the 19-year-old reflected on her progress and the steps she’s taken to evolve as a consistent point-scorer for McLaren.
“I think that was actually the main thing that McLaren wanted me to work on,” she told The GAME. “They said that they don’t care about a driver that can do one fast lap. They need a driver that can be consistently fast. And I think that was something I lacked last year.
“Yeah, I was a very inconsistent driver. I had good days. I had days where I didn’t even score points. I had days where I was winning races. And I was a roller coaster. And that was because of my lack of control of my emotion. I was always driven by my emotion to a certain point that I would lose control. And I think that might be because I was immature. I was young,” Bustamante admitted.
Fortunately, the young star has benefited from McLaren’s abundant resources, including the invaluable guidance of a sports psychologist who has helped her tackle pressure and fine-tune her mindset. “This year, like I said, I had to grow up a lot. And McLaren giving me the support of a sports psychologist. To be able to talk about how I feel. How to deal with pressure. Mindsetting, which is very important. So, yeah, I think that is actually the main thing that helped me improve my performance this year.”
Her hard work is clearly paying off, as she currently holds fifth place in the standings out of 17 drivers—a testament to her growth, determination, and the effort she’s put into refining her skills both on and off the track. Bustamante’s transformation from a promising young talent to a formidable competitor has been nothing short of impressive.
After spending a quick trip in Manila, Bustamante got on a plane for her race weekend at Zandvoort in the Netherlands, where the F1 Academy was a part of the Formula 1 weekend once again. Being around F1 drivers, many of whom are her heroes, has been a surreal experience for Bianca. “Three years ago, I was just watching them on TV. I was just at my home in Laguna and watching them race, during the pandemic. Never in a million years I’d think that I’d be there in their presence.”
Among those who’ve inspired her the most is seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, whose influence on female drivers in the sport has been profound.
“He is one of my role models in everything. He is an amazing person, a kind-hearted person. Like, I remember in the B-Series, he was the first driver to actually even visit our paddock, to ask questions, to ask what we’re doing. And when we were shut down, he was the first person to speak out and to start an uproar about why women are so important in racing, and why the paddock is a better space with more women in it. And he’s done so much.”
As for her future, it’s uncertain where Bianca will race next year, but one thing is clear: she’s a leading figure in women’s racing, and her star is only set to rise. Whether she continues in single-seaters or explores new avenues, she’s already left an indelible mark on the sport.
Interestingly, Netflix is working on a “Drive to Survive”-style show for the F1 Academy, which could propel drivers like Bustamante into even greater prominence.
The F1 Academy, as stated on their website, aims to “Find the next generation of talent, on and off track.”
Bustamante has proven she can drive with the best of them, but she’s also proven that she is a star in the making (if not already) and her talents aren’t just in the cockpit of a race car, but also in front of the camera. During her visit to the Philippines, she hosted a panel discussion, showcasing her poise and charisma beyond her years.
Even if 2025 doesn’t see her behind the wheel, as often as we’d all like to see, it certainly won’t be the last we hear of Bianca Bustamante.
Banner Image from Jinno Rufino.