In the seemingly speedy speed world for Western riders or men, the name Bianca Bustamante – a young girl from the Philippines – is creating a special wave with impressive achievements and strong influence around the globe.
Born on January 19, 2005 in Manila, Bianca started getting used to Kart when he was 3 years old. This is a passion to be passed down from her father, former Raymund Bustamante racer. Growing up between Philippine and American cultures (San Jose, California), she quickly showed outstanding talents and determined to become a professional racer.
The turning point came in 2022 when Bianca participated in the W Series, affirming his name as a rare Southeast Asian Women's Racing in this playground. In 2023, she made history when she became the first Filipino to win the stage in F1 Academy, with two victories at Valencia and Monza. That season, she won 4 Podium and ended in the 7th place.
Stable form and strong image helped Bianca caught the “blue eye” of McLaren, the famous F1 racing team. In October 2023, she signed an official contract with McLaren's young racing program and became the first female driver of the team in history.
In 2024, she continued to play at F1 Academy and was highly appreciated as a strategic role in the squad. In early 2025, Bianca turned to a test at GB3 Championship in the Elite Motorsport shirt and also took on the role of development driver for the Cupra Kiro team at the Formula E tournament, ready for the first appearance at E-Prix Berlin.
Not only is the professional symbol, Bianca also stands out in images. Her Instagram page currently has more than 2 million followers, helping her to become the female racer with the largest fan base globally. In 2024, she was in the top 100 most commercial athletes in the world and was among the most influential athletes in the Philippines.
With talent, professionalism and inspirational story, Bianca Bustamante is not only the pride of the Philippines but also an ideal model for the female generation of Asian athletes to reach the world. In the near future, she could be one of the pioneering faces to help shape the image of women in this challenging sport.
The beautiful pictures of Bianca Bustamante:
