Talent shines through at W Series Pre-Season test, catapulting Bustamante to full-time drive in the Formula 1 Support series
Filipino teenager takes giant leap from Karting to Formula 3 cars
Learning will be key focus for Bustamante in the 2022 season
17-year-old Bianca Bustamante has secured a full-season drive in the 2022 W Series, racing in the Tatuus F3 T-318 formula car. Bustamante will be one of the youngest drivers on the grid and the only driver selected on this year's grid to come straight out of karting. The selection comes as a result of Bustamante’s impressive performance at the official W Series Pre-Season test, held recently in March at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a circuit she will compete at later this year as a support race to the Formula 1 Grand Prix calendar. 2022 has seen a rapid rise for Bustamante as she tackled the massive learning curve involved in transitioning from karts to formula cars. Despite this year being her first season in formula cars, her growth and development have been exceptional. From her early tests in Formula 4 through to recent tests in Formula 3, she has shown a natural ability to adapt to faster cars and deliver in high-pressure moments. This was highlighted by her two W Series tests in the USA and Spain, where she showed her raw talent, pace and potential which ultimately resulted in a surprise place on the grid for the 2022 W Series season. Securing a W Series race seat is a dream opportunity that puts Bustamante one step closer towards her ultimate goal - to be a Formula 1 driver. Furthermore, Bianca believes that W Series will not only provide her with a platform to showcase her talent, but also inspire a new generation of young girls to take up motorsport. Bianca is proud to be racing in W Series, an initiative that is breaking barriers and empowering female racers to be a part of motorsports on equal terms. The championship eliminates any financial barriers by selecting drivers purely on ability and provides a free-to-enter 8-race championship. The 2022 season kicks off with the first race of the season alongside the inaugural Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix from 6th to 8th May 2022. The series will visit five new venues this year, including the first-ever W Series round in Asia held at the Suzuka Circuit.
“I am beyond thrilled to be part of W Series this season. It is a dream come true and I am still pinching myself every day to check this actually happened. All my life I have had my sights set on Formula 1, and now my racing career has taken a big step in the right direction thanks to W Series. There is still so much work to do, and every day I am learning because everything is still completely new to me. I’ve enjoyed every moment so far as I learn what it takes to become a professional driver, and I’m going to give it my all both on and off the track. I never knew what training meant until I spent the last few weeks with professional trainers, but I’m making big gains in both my strength and mental focus. It has been a whirlwind and I’m looking forward to a couple of weeks at home in the Philippines before my debut race in W Series. Until then I’m going to keep pinching myself until I’m finally on the start grid in Miami.”
Bianca Bustamante | Racing Driver
“As the profile of W Series grows, the talent pool and standard of our driver line-up increases, and the 2022 W Series grid is the strongest yet. This year, we expanded our driver search and testing programme by staging pre-season tests in both the USA and Europe, and that decision has paid dividends. The class of 2022 represents 10 different countries, and more than a quarter of the grid are new talents making their W Series debut. The five rookies are well-prepared and join a group of proven W Series performers who know what it’s all about. In the spirit of W Series, they will all drive each other forwards.”
Dave Ryan | W Series Racing Director
“What an amazing two months it has been since Bianca went over to the USA for this W Series adventure. What was meant to be a 2-week trip, took her down this 2-month journey where she has grown a lot as a race driver. Her dedication has been unparalleled, pushing her limits on the race track and in her physical training. To be able to drive an F3 car at this level with only 6 days of testing to her name really demonstrates the potential this girl possesses. For sure there is still so much for Bianca to learn, but if she keeps going at it with this much heart and determination, I believe strong results will come in the near future. Until then I’m just glad to witness her progression first hand and support this Asian talent on her journey against some of the world’s top drivers.”
Darryl O'Young | Manager of Bianca Bustamante