F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante has grow to be the primary feminine signed to McLaren’s driver improvement program and can race within the staff’s colours in 2024.

All Formulation 1 groups will help a minimum of one driver in F1 Academy subsequent season, together with working the livery on one of many vehicles. For McLaren, 18-year-old Bustamante has been signed forward of the season finale at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, an occasion she goes into sitting seventh within the championship with two wins to her title.

“The staff are delighted for Bianca to affix us, and for McLaren to be concerned in F1 Academy,” staff principal Andrea Stella mentioned. “It’s a core precept of ours to be a various and inclusive staff, so we’re happy to be so concerned in Formulation 1’s work on the necessary matter of enhancing gender variety inside motorsport. We additionally stay up for seeing Bianca develop and progress throughout the McLaren Racing driver improvement program underneath Emanuele (Pirro)’s steering.”

Bustamante has beforehand raced in W Collection, Italian and UAE Formulation 4 championships and USF Juniors, and Pirro says she’s proven potential that the staff hopes to develop by subsequent season.

“I’m happy that Bianca is becoming a member of our driver improvement program,” Pirro mentioned. “She’s a promising younger expertise who has a superb work ethic and is aligned carefully to our staff’s values. I stay up for working with Bianca on her improvement as a racing driver. We’re additionally excited for Bianca to be representing the staff within the F1 Academy sequence and we stay up for seeing her race in papaya in 2024.”

The Filipino driver has raced for Prema in F1 Academy this yr however will transfer to ART subsequent season underneath the McLaren program, for which Cisco has been named as the first accomplice.

“That is such an unreal second in my profession, to signal with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is manner past something I might’ve ever imagined rising up racing karts within the Philippines,” Bustamante mentioned. “I nonetheless have a tough time seeing my title subsequent to McLaren with out getting emotional, because the historical past and heritage linked to this staff leaves me really speechless.

“I’m so grateful for this chance as I imagine I now have the very best improvement construction round me to take the following step up in my profession, and for this I’m so grateful. 2023 was all about enhancing my pace which I demonstrated throughout a number of races this yr, however in 2024 my purpose is to determine consistency and enhance my psychological energy with a purpose to make a title problem within the coming F1 Academy season.

“For now, my focus is to complete off the F1 Academy season strongly right here in Austin, however we’ll get to work instantly on the 2024 season,” she mentioned. “I’ve by no means been extra motivated in my life! A giant thanks goes to Susie Wolff and the staff at F1 Academy for combating so onerous for us ladies and to provide us this chance to be one of the best we might be. Further thanks go to Zak Brown, Andrea Stella, Emanuele Pirro, Sebastian Philippe, my sponsors, and all my supporters for believing in me and making this all attainable. I’m stuffed with gratitude, and I promise to provide it my all.”

The three F1 Academy races over the USGP weekend, together with the 2 qualifying periods and two follow periods, will air stay on ESPNEWS and stream on ESPN+. Click on right here for air instances.