In a bold move that signals a seismic shift in the world of motorsports, McLaren has just unleashed its latest weapon for the all-female FIA Formula E test — and her name is Bianca Bustamante! The 19-year-old Filipina racing prodigy is gearing up to tear up the track next month in Valencia, and the racing world is holding its breath.
This rising star, already a key player in McLaren’s Driver Development Programme, has been climbing the ranks with blistering speed. Currently standing seventh in the fiercely competitive F1 Academy standings with ART, Bustamante is no stranger to taking names. Last year, she stormed to a seventh-place finish in the series’ inaugural season, securing race victories in both Valencia and Monza. And as if that wasn’t enough, she’s slated to take on the F1 Academy once more next season, this time with the powerhouse team, Rodin.
But now, the stakes are even higher.
Bustamante has been tapped as the final driver to complete McLaren’s history-making lineup for the November 7th test. She joins the ranks alongside Ella Lloyd, who was announced just last week, in what promises to be an unforgettable event — a world-first female Formula E test! This isn’t just about making history. This is about breaking barriers.
In a fired-up statement, Bustamante couldn’t hold back her excitement: “I’ve been waiting for this moment! I’ve been sharpening my skills in the simulator, and now it’s time to show what I can do on the real thing with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team.”
Ella Lloyd, another rising talent, echoed the electric energy surrounding the event, describing it as a pivotal moment in her career: “This is my shot to master the Formula E GEN3 Evo car, and I’m ready to bring it all to the track!”
Team Principal Ian James was brimming with enthusiasm over this game-changing opportunity, calling the Women’s Test a major leap forward in motorsports: “We’re bringing Bianca and Ella to the forefront, not just as part of McLaren but as trailblazers for the future of racing.”
The racing world is now on high alert. Come November 7th, all eyes will be glued to Valencia, where Bustamante and Lloyd will attempt to etch their names into motorsport history. Is the future of Formula E female? We’re about to find out.
