McLaren's Bustamante oozing with confidence ahead of F1 Academy season

MANILA, Philippines – Filipina racer Bianca Bustamante says her confidence is at an all-time high ahead of her second season in the F1 Academy with McLaren supporting her all the way this opening weekend at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Becoming the first-ever female driver for McLaren, Bustamante has the chance to banner the iconic team under ART Grand Prix.

“I think I’m the type of person that generates power and confidence from the people surrounding her, and the fact that I have a team that truly believes that I can be competitive this year and find the front,” Bustamante told the media during her digital roundtable on Tuesday.

“A team like Mclaren was there to support me, support me physically, mentally. I’ve been at [McLaren Technology Centre] more times than I’ve been at home, so I think that says a lot about how invested they are in just supporting me, supporting my dream, and supporting my potential,” she added.

The 19-year-old performed well in her rookie year last year, finishing seventh in the driver standings with 116 points when she was competing under PREMA Racing.

Now with a new team and car, Bustamante believes she can reach new heights, especially with how much McLaren has been helping her prepare for the upcoming seven-round season.

“It’s very rare these days to meet people who truly believe that you have what it takes to make it, and in finding that, I found myself. I found that confidence in myself to still fight. We showed that in all the tests, in F1 Academy. We’re the fastest in Jeddah, we topped a few sessions. Overall, we were so, so strong, and the fact we’re coming to race weekend knowing that we were strong in the preseason tests, and the fact that I was able to work with my team in Mclaren. It just feels so at home without even trying so hard,” said the Filipina racer. 

“We were able to get good results and that’s what matters. Racing isn’t forced. It’s just the flow and how you work with the team and how you work with yourself, and I’m ready to show that at Jeddah this weekend.”

Bustamante and the rest of the 15-woman grid will compete in two races happening on Friday and Saturday at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

The F1 Academy race this