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Bianca Bustamante is stepping up the single-seater ladder, as Elite Motorsport have announced that the Filipina driver will make her GB3 Championship debut with them in 2025.
The 19-year-old graduates from F1 ACADEMY after back-to-back seventh-place finishes in the Drivers' Standings. Bustamante scored two wins and a further two podiums in 2023, whilst her sophomore campaign saw her achieve a best finish of P2 in Miami Race 2.
This season has also seen her contest races in the Formula Winter Series, Italian F4 and British F4 Championships. Additionally, she participated in the Formula E Women's Test for NEOM McLaren, earning the third-fastest time of the test.
Speaking about the next stage in her racing journey, Bustamante said: “GB3 is a great step to progress up the ladder of single-seater competition. Having competed in the F1 ACADEMY for two seasons in F4 machinery, I felt GB3 was the perfect step to learn higher downforce and bigger powered cars, with the next step aimed at Formula 3.
“With the great calendar mixing European and British circuits, as well as a strong grid of drivers, I expect GB3 to provide me with a great learning platform. I look back fondly on my F1 ACADEMY years and am proud of what was achieved but I’m now excited to return to the traditional racing ladder with both male and female racers on the grid.
“Elite Motorsport has a proven track record in the GB3 series and my management team and I felt this is due to its strong engineering and focus on driver development. I know I will face a lot of challenges so to drive in an experienced and supportive infrastructure were important factors when confirming a team for 2025.”
Team Owner and Manager Eddie Ives added: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Bianca to Elite Motorsport. It is very clear Bianca has a fantastic attitude combined with total professionalism.
“I’m confident that with these attributes along with her experience and success she’s already accomplished in such a short space of time, together with the skills of my excellent GB3 team, will no doubt lead to a fantastic season.”
Bustamante becomes the second F1 ACADEMY graduate confirmed for the upcoming GB3 campaign, with Champion Abbi Pulling securing the fully-funded seat with Rodin Motorsport. The 2025 season will get underway at Silverstone on April 26-27.