Bianca Bustamante signs with Palou Motorsport for 2026 Season
- Official Release
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Bustamante steps up to Eurocup-3 driving the all new Dallara 326 powered by Tom’s Toyota 1.6 Turbo engine
The series marks another critical step in Filipino rising star’s pathway to FIA Formula 3 and her dream to one day reach Formula 1
Bustamante’s season will commence February 20-22 with round one of the Eurocup-3 Winter Series, with the main Eurocup 3 Championship Series starting in May
Rising Filipina racing talent Bianca Bustamante continues to make strides in her racing career, announcing today that she will race in both the Eurocup-3 Winter Series and Eurocup-3 Championship Series in 2026 with Palou Motorsport.
Since its inception in 2023, Eurocup-3 has been a springboard for rising stars; giving up and coming racers the chance to continue to grow their talent on legendary circuits like Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, and Barcelona-Catalunya. The European single-seater series values driver development and technical innovation, and in 2026 will begin a new era by switching to the new Toyota-powered Dallara 326 machinery.
While it will be another big step up in her career with the challenge of a completely new series and new car, the 20-year-old, who will be celebrating her 21st birthday next week, will enjoy some familiarity in the garage.
Palou Motorsport – founded in 2023 by four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou and his father Ramon – recently announced a technical partnership with PREMA Racing; the team with whom Bustamante raced in the 2023 F1 Academy, securing two victories.
As one of the world’s leading single-seater teams, the partnership with PREMA Racing will see Bustamante benefit from top-tier engineering support, simulator tools, and advanced technical resources as she expands into European competition with Palou Motorsport.
Following a pivotal season in the GB3 Championship in 2025, the move to Eurocup-3 represents another strategic step towards Bustamante’s long-term goal of competing in FIA Formula 3 and ultimately Formula 1, giving her valuable mileage against a competitive mixed international grid.
Bustamante’s Eurocup-3 debut will come on February 20-22 with round one of the three-event 2026 Eurocup-3 Winter Series, taking place at Portimao’s Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Portugal).
Round two (27 February – 1 March) will be held at Circuit del Jarama in Spain while the third and final round will take place across March 13-15 at Motorland (Circuito Motorland Aragón Rodadas), also in Spain.
The 2026 Eurocup-3 Championship Series will then commence at the beginning of May at Circuit Paul Ricard in France – please refer below for the full event calendar.
Living timing and streaming is available for Eurocup-3 events, see www.eurocup3.org and www.youtube.com/@eurocup-3for details.
Bianca Bustamante
Driver - Palou Motorsport
“I could not be more excited to announce the step up into Eurocup 3 with Palou Motorsport with the technical support of PREMA Racing. Palou Motorsport has had some great achievements since its formation including podiums and a maiden win last season, and its new partnership with PREMA Racing – a team I know well from my time in F1 Academy – gives me confidence that we will work well together. Having that familiarity while learning a new car and new series will be really helpful as I prepare for the season ahead. Eurocup-3 is definitely an exciting series to be a part of, attracting some very talented drivers and teams to the most challenging and renowned circuits in the world – and all with an exceptionally technically advanced car in the Dallara 326. 2025 was a big year and I feel more prepared than ever to take on this new challenge. My focus is on maximising every opportunity, continuing to grow as a driver, and achieving good results to help push closer to my next goal of reaching FIA Formula 3.”
Ramon Palou
Team Principal - Palou Motorsport
“We are really delighted to have Bianca joining the team. Her experience in single seaters, combined with her strong work ethic and ability to learn, gives us great confidence that together we can showcase Bianca’s full potential in the upcoming campaign."
2026 Eurocup-3 Event Calendar:
2026 Eurocup-3 Winter Series
Feb 20-22
Round 1 – Portimao, Portugal
Feb 27 - March 1
Round 2 – Jarama, Spain
March 13-15
Round 3 – Motorland, Spain
2026 Eurocup-3 Championship Series
May 1-3
Round 1 – Paul Ricard, France
June 5-7
Round 2 – Portimao, Portugal
July 3-5
Round 3 – Imola, Italy
July 31 – Aug 2
Round 4 – Monza, Italy
Aug 8-9
Round 5 – venue TBC
Sep 11-13
Round 6 – Silverstone, UK
Oct 23-25
Round 7 – Hungaroring, Hungary
Nov 6-8
Round 8 – Montmelo, Spain
