Bustamante last raced in Singapore two years ago for the W Series. This time, she’ll be stepping on the track wiser and readier than ever
The road ahead looks easy for Bianca Bustamante.
At only 19 years old, Bustamante drives for British sportscar manufacturer McLaren in the F1 Academy, an all-women junior racing league that could eventually funnel drivers into the main F1 circuit. Before F1 Academy, Bustamante raced in the W Series, another all-women league. To put it simply: Bustamante leads the charge for the next generation of motorsport—in the Philippines and around the globe.
What we don’t see however is the number of obstacles Bustamante faced in turning her racing dreams into reality. Bustamante, who hails from Laguna, started karting against boys and eventually worked her way up to competitions in Asia and then around the world. She eventually earned a spot in the W Series until it dissolved in 2022. But, the young racer found her way to the F1 Academy—and racing found its way to her.
Now, Bustamante reflects on her journey before her race in Singapore on Sept. 20, 2024. While F1 Academy races take place almost every month around the world, this race feels like a homecoming for Bustamante. “It’s the only place I can race at that feels like home, like I’m with my people,” she says. Bustamante last raced in Singapore two years ago for the W Series. This time, she’ll be stepping on Singapore’s track wiser and readier than ever.
Bianca Bustamante on improvement
Bustamante’s racing style involves continuous and aggressive improvement. In her F1 Academy race in the Netherlands in August 2024, Bustamante crashed during the qualifiers. This revealed some mechanical errors in the car. “It’s one variable in the equation,” Bustamante explains. “If you get one number wrong or have one issue with the car, you won’t be able to drive it, unfortunately.” Despite this, she ended her first race in 14th place and her second race in 11th.
Her positional recovery in the Netherlands wasn’t the first time Bustamante pulled off this feat. In her May 2024 race in Miami, she ended race one in ninth place and race two in second place—her first podium finish for the season.
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“We’re fighting for seconds,” Bustamante says. In Miami, Bustamante led by a little over a second against third-place finisher Doriane Pin. In motorsport, half a moment could define a whole race or even a whole season.
When asked about managing pressure, Bustamante credits her sports psychologist and team. Sports is equally a physical game as it is a mental one. American gymnast Simone Biles’ return to the 2024 Paris Olympics after experiencing the twisties in Tokyo 2020 revealed the impact mental health has on the highest levels of professional sports. Seeing athletes open up about their mental health also asks us to see mental and emotional well-being as factors in achieving our own goals.
Building community
To race professionally for McLaren, Bustamante relocated from her family home in the Philippines to the United Kingdom.
“For the longest time, I’ve been trying to be independent,” she says. It’s easy for first-time racing spectators to overlook the role the wider team plays in getting their racers across the finish line. Coaches mentor racers to achieve their potential. Mechanics and engineers ensure the cars are in peak condition and in sync with their drivers. Data scientists, managers, publicists, and more all make sure each race day goes smoothly and safely for all racers.
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Bustamante’s team also helps the young racer navigate life off the track. “Sometimes we’re all too afraid of asking for help.”
She chuckles and shares a quote her manager sent to her. “A good leader is often the dumbest person in the room.” She credits her approach now to this piece of wisdom. “I’ve been picking up information, guidance, and advice from the team. It’s made a huge difference.”
Although Bustamante travels all over the world to race in different tracks, she understands the importance of anchoring herself to home. “I had to be adaptable and worldly,” she says. “Home is where your heart is. I’ve also found a home in my team in McLaren.”
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Bianca Bustamante and taking the road less traveled
Bustamante looks ahead at her career and the future of Filipino sport as a whole. Her successes, alongside the performances of athletes like gymnast Carlos Yulo, boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, exhibit the talent of our athletes. The Filipino athlete is worth not only fighting for but also investing in.
In August 2024, Bustamante hosted a panel with Filipino athletes discussing their paths in their respective sports. During that talk, footballer Inna Palacios said, “When you’re visible, you become attainable.” In the Philippines, students are often encouraged to go into more conventional career paths—being a professional athlete comes from left field. Bustamante wants to change that.
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“I want kids to look up to me and say, ‘Oh you can be a racing driver? I thought that was only in Europe,’” she says. “I want to bring that diversity across the Philippines.” The Philippines’ relative lack of racing facilities and resources compared to hubs like Europe and North America shouldn’t be a reason for Filipinos to participate in the sport.
“I’m hardworking because I’m Filipino. I know how to value opportunities. Every Filipino that has been given opportunities was able to succeed.” True enough, Bustamante is getting her flowers. On Sept. 9, 2024, the Philippine House of Representatives adopted Senate Resolution No. 624, congratulating and commending Bustamante on her achievements in F1 Academy.
“Just speechless,” Bustamante wrote in an Instagram Story celebrating this milestone.
The unknown
Ahead of races, Bustamante puts on her playlist filled with songs from Lizzie McAlpine, Coldplay, and RY X. She’s also been listening to “Sining” by Dionela on repeat. These slower, more emotional songs reveal Bustamante’s thoughts and dreams of what’s next.
When asked about what scares her most on race weekends, she says, “The unknown. Not just in sports, but in everything.” Her reflection echoes the worries of younger generations. Today, many young adults face precarity in their home lives and their careers, thanks to economic and industry-wide shifts. Some even experienced getting their dream jobs taken away before graduating. If there’s anyone who could deal with uncertainty at this scale, it’s a world-class racing driver who fights for seconds.
“It’s okay to feel lost and like you don’t belong anywhere,” she explains. “If I’m nervous, then other people are also nervous.” It’s all too easy for us to stew in our little bubbles, especially since we got so used to staying at home and romanticizing others’ lives on social media. Soon enough, the FOMO creeps in.
“I felt like I was missing out because I spent all my time training. But, I realized we have different goals and journeys. We’ll all get there.” Common milestones, such as graduations, weddings, and promotions seem like benchmarks for success. But, it’s important to do what’s best for you and your dreams. For Bustamante, that means racing at full speed towards a future filled with motorsport.
What’s in store for her? Right now, it’s her Sept. 20 race in Singapore. For the foreseeable future, she’s going to take it one day, one race, one second at a time.
