PREMA Racing announces that Bianca Bustamante will compete with the team in the inaugural edition of the F1 Academy Series. The 18-year-old woman racer made her single-seater debut in 2022 coming from a proficient karting career, and recently joined PREMA for the Formula 4 UAE Championship.
Ailing from Laguna, Philippines, Bustamante made her first steps in auto racing this year and was selected to compete in the 2022 W Series season. Once she hit the track, she quickly proved impressive, claiming her maiden points finish in the opening round in Miami and finishing as the highest-classified rookie in the Driver Standings.
Following the completion of the F4 UAE Championship, Bustamante will switch her focus to the F1 Academy, a new high-profile effort to promote and develop the talents of young women drivers.
Rene Rosin – Team Principal
“We are happy to announce Bianca for our new F1 Academy programme. We enjoy working together in the F4 UAE Championship and we feel there is great potential we can build on for the future. I think she will be an outstanding fit right from the start, especially considering what she was able to achieve in her first experiences, and we are determined to provide her with our best support.”
Bianca Bustamante
“I’m very excited to be joining PREMA for the 2023 season. As a rookie in formula cars, 2022 was a year full of challenges, but today is definitely a big step up in my career. PREMA is one of the most prestigious racing organizations in the world, and I’m incredibly grateful to join their family of drivers. With PREMA, I’m joining a top driver development program both on and off the race track, and most importantly, I will have a rigorous race and test program, giving me the much-needed seat time to perform at my best in competition. Thank you PREMA for bringing me into the program, and Formula 1 for launching this series to support young female drivers. Most importantly, thanks to Laurence Escalante for believing in me and supporting my journey, getting me one step closer to my F1 dreams.”