Former F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante on "huge step" up to GB3: "Tested my tenacity"

Former F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante has opened up on her transition from the all-female racing series to the GB3 Championship.

The 20-year-old driver signed with Elite Motorsport in the GB3 Championship for 2025 after leaving F1 Academy at the end of 2024. During her time in F1 Academy she was part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, although this partnership ended when she left the Susie Wolff-led championship.

"It's been a huge step, not going to shy away from that fact," she explained to F1 Academy.

"Moving to a completely different championship in a mixed category. It's tested my abilities in multitudes, and it's also really tested my tenacity, mentally and physically, because of how high the downforce is on the car. It's faster in comparison to F4, it's about 10 seconds quicker.

"For the first half of the season, I was contemplating a lot, if I deserve to be here and speaking with my team and my manager if I've actually got what it takes, if I'm physically fit, mentally am I strong enough?

"And I think initially it's been that battle that I've had to fight this whole year until I reached a point where I was like, I do deserve this.

"In Hungary, we showed potential, a huge step forward to where we were initially. That's just me putting on the work off track. Of course, as much as you see the on-track actions during race weekends and testing and qualifying, the prep is beforehand.

"And that means consistency in training and eating habits and the discipline to show up every single day, even when you're sore and tired and mentally defeated.

"I feel like I'm in such a better momentum now to focus on the second half of the season. Obviously, looking forward to the next year as well, we want to continue in this level and continue developing. We've still got a long road ahead. I want to be back again next year, fighting for top 10, top five, even podiums."

Bustamante finished both the 2023 and 2024 F1 Academy seasons in seventh position. She credited her time in the all-female racing series for her career progression.

"F1 Academy has taught me the value of hard work," she added. "I made the most out of my two years in the championship with marketing, on track, off track, building connections, and that's allowed me to then move up in my career and be in GB3.

"I wouldn't be a driver if I didn't say I want to win the championship. For me, success... If you ask Bianca, not as a driver, it's probably to just find joy in whatever I do and find joy even when I'm going through the rough moments. Because I know that's the only way I can strive forward."