Bianca Bustamante made Grand Prix debut aged six then was forced to abandon racing but is now McLaren’s new wonderkid after Lewis Hamilton advice

Bianca Bustamante continues to race her way to the top of motorsport after joining McLaren.

The 18-year-old has become the first female driver to enrol in the McLaren Driver Development programme.

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Bustamante will also represent the British team by running their livery on her F1 Academy race car with ART Grand Prix for the 2024 season.

McLaren already boasts arguably the best driver-pairing on the grid after poaching Australian wonderkid Oscar Piastri to partner Lando Norris this season.

The Woking-based outfit have a history of nurturing young talents into Formula 1 with Bustamante following Norris and Lewis Hamilton in joining the Papaya Family as a teenager.

«To sign with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is way beyond anything I could've ever imagined growing up racing karts in the Philippines», said Bustamante.

«I still have a hard time seeing my name next to McLaren without getting emotional, as the history and heritage linked to this team leaves me truly speechless.

»I'm so grateful for this opportunity as I believe I now have the best possible development structure around me to take the next step up in my career.

«For now, my focus is to finish off the F1 Academy season strongly here in Austin, but we'll get to work immediately on the 2024 season.

»I've never been more motivated in my life! A big thanks goes to Susie Wolff and the team at F1 Academy for fighting so hard for us girls and to give us this opportunity to be the best we can be."

Bustamante's trail-blazing drive to the top has been challenging as the only Filipina on the international racing circuit.

The teen is the daughter of former go-kart driver Raymund Bustamante and was destined to get behind a wheel herself even before she