McLaren star announces SWITCH to…read more
McLaren’s rising star, Bianca Bustamante, has made a significant career move, switching from the F1 Academy to participate in an official test for the Formula E series. Bustamante, a member of McLaren’s Driver Development Programme, will join the NEOM McLaren Formula E team for the Women’s Driver Test, taking place at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia on November 7.
This test is part of Formula E’s commitment to fostering equality and diversity in motorsport, with each team required to field at least one female driver during the pre-season half-day test. Alongside fellow racer Ella Lloyd, Bustamante will get behind the wheel of a GEN3 Evo car, the latest state-of-the-art technology in electric racing, giving her an opportunity to showcase her talents in a different category.
“I’m really excited to get behind the wheel of the GEN3 Evo car with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team in Valencia next month,” Bustamante said in a statement. “I’ve been working hard in the simulator and with the team to make the most of this opportunity. I’m looking forward to demonstrating what I can do in a new series.”
The 19-year-old’s switch to Formula E is seen as a major step forward in her motorsport career. Since joining the McLaren Driver Development Programme, she has impressed with her performances in the F1 Academy, a series designed to give young female drivers the experience and exposure they need to advance in motorsport. Bustamante has participated in both seasons of the F1 Academy, where she achieved two wins in 2023 and secured a podium finish this season. She currently sits seventh in the drivers’ standings, but her rapid progress and strong performances have clearly caught the attention of McLaren’s leadership.
McLaren, based in Woking, has been experiencing a resurgence across its motorsport divisions. The team’s Formula 1 outfit has been one of the top performers in 2024, challenging Red Bull at the front of the grid. McLaren currently leads the Constructors’ Championship, with Lando Norris in a close fight for the Drivers’ Championship, trailing Max Verstappen by only 52 points. This resurgence has been spearheaded by team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown, who have not only focused on F1 but have expanded McLaren’s involvement in other motorsport series.
McLaren fields teams across various racing platforms, including IndyCar with Arrow McLaren and Formula E under the NEOM McLaren banner. Additionally, the team supports the all-female F1 Academy, where Bustamante has been making her mark. The team’s commitment to nurturing talent and promoting diversity has been a cornerstone of its recent success.
Brown’s leadership has been pivotal in expanding McLaren’s motorsport presence, and the Women’s Driver Test in Formula E is part of a broader push to bring more opportunities for female drivers in top-tier racing. Bustamante’s participation in the test not only highlights McLaren’s focus on talent development but also underscores the team’s desire to grow its presence in all-electric racing.
As Bustamante prepares for her Formula E debut in the test, all eyes will be on how she adapts to the new series. If her performances in the F1 Academy are any indication, she could be a future star in the making, both for McLaren and for electric racing as a whole.
