Bianca will get to tell her story on a bigger stage now, with the release of Netflix’s new racing series.
As far as Filipino racers go, Bianca Bustamante is perhaps the most popular there has ever been. Many of her millions of followers on her social media pages have been tracking her racing journey from the beginning, but now, the world is finally going to get a closer glimpse into her life as a pro racer with the newly released Netflix documentary series, F1: The Academy.
The seven-episode series, produced by Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, follows the lives of the drivers in the all-female racing competition known as F1 Academy throughout an entire season, capturing the highs and the lows of the racing world.
A fairly young racing category, the F1 Academy was established in 2023 as a way to provide more female drivers with competitive opportunities in the male-dominated racing industry. Bianca was among the first drivers to race in the inaugural season, and has seen its growth over the past couple of years.
“I was [in the first class] of F1 Academy back in 2023. I was on the very first podium of the very first race of the F1 Academy,” she shared in a press conference earlier this year.
“So, knowing that it started off there and seeing where it is now — you know, I’m obsessed, I follow everyone, I follow all the races — so, seeing where they are now and knowing that I was there during the very beginning of all of it, it’s incredible. And I know that they will continue to grow because they have the work ethic.”
The seven episodes of the documentary series follow the talented drivers throughout the 2024 season, which was a breakthrough year for Bianca on a personal level.
Last year, the 20-year-old Filipina racing star made history by becoming the first female driver to be included in the McLaren Driver Development program. This catapulted her to motorsports stardom, as she became one of the most well-known faces in the paddock.
Now, more motorsports fans will be able to delve deeper into what the F1 Academy and Bianca’s journey have really been all about.
To celebrate the release of the F1: The Academy documentary series, the former McLaren driver attended the Netflix premiere in Miami, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, and Bianca was elated.
“Having lived the episode, the whole show, and now watching it on the big screen for the first time it’s surreal,” she wrote on an Instagram caption. “This little life really has grown so much and I can’t wait for the rest of the world to watch it.
“We poured so much heart into this documentary, showed so much vulnerability. The highest of highs and lowest of lows, it was a huge leap of faith opening ourselves to the world like this and I do hope you all get to resonate with us and get a feel for the whole rollercoaster ride.”
From the racetrack to the Netflix screen — Bianca Bustamante continues to chase her dreams, and continues to inspire more young girls, especially in the Philippines, to do the same.
Banner image from AFP.