We had the opportunity to have a (virtual) sit-down with Bianca Bustamante. You may have seen the 18 year old Filipino racer on social media, or even during recent media coverage on the sidelines of the Singapore Grand Prix.

She made an appearance locally driving against Craft Bamboo Racing’s Darryl O’Young and Formula One driver Nico Hülkenberg during a simulator event during our Grand Prix weekend.

With an ever growing presence both on and off the track, we wanted to find out just what makes the impressive racer tick. So we asked her a few questions about her life goals and her racing career!

Q: Let’s start off with introductions for those who may not know you that well, and how did you get started on the road to being behind the wheel?

I’m Bianca Bustamante, 18 years old, and I’m a racing driver from the Philippines! Being from Southeast Asia, it was always going to be hard to enter the world of motorsport. Being female compounded this, so my journey into racing hasn’t been the easiest or smoothest.

I really have my dad to thank for getting me in the door to begin with. Back in the day, he was a professional go-kart racer, and believe it or not, he got me driving from when I was just 3 years old, and into professional racing when I was 6. Since then, I was hooked, and I made the decision that this would be my career, and I have not looked back since.

Q: It’s been one year since the you last raced on our shores! What has happened since then?

A lot! The W Series raced as a support series at last year’s Singapore Grand Prix. It was unfortunately also the last W Series event, as they folded later that year. That meant I was left without a seat and unsure of where to go.

Thankfully, with the help of my manager, Darryl O’Young, he and I left no stone unturned to help me find my next step. In no small part, the publicity and efforts of CBR Media (Craft Bamboo Racing’s marketing and media agency), I was noticed by Laurence Escalante. He became my title sponsor, and with his support, it paved my path into F1 academy, which led to races to in the F4 UAE Championship and the F4 Italian Championship.

I currently race under Prema Racing in Formula 4, having joined the team after testing for them back in December ’22 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Prema racing has had many current Formula 1 drivers like Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc pass through their ranks, so I have been really fortunate to join them to learn and progress in my racing career.

Q: Was there any immediate worries, or perhaps what you would do next, following the demise of the W Series in late 2022?

Immediately after the unexpected closure of the W series, I was extremely disappointed and worried that I wouldn’t have a seat going into 2023. However, I kept my head up and kept training in preparation for any opportunities that would come knocking.

Honestly, the cessation of the W Series was completely out of the blue and no one expected it until the announcement was made.

Q: So how is it like now, being part of F1 Academy? Is it more challenging as compared to the W Series, or is it a more level playing field?

F1 Academy is definitely more challenging as compared to W Series. Drivers who were formerly part of the W Series, like Marta Garcia, are very fast and still pose a significant challenge, so it is still an uphill battle to prove myself in the presence of all these talented drivers.

Perhaps the biggest challenge I currently face is that I am one of the least experienced drivers on the grid, especially when compared to my teammates in Prema Racing. However, I am determined not to let the odds overwhelm me, and I will keep fighting for any podium opportunities where possible.

Q: Are there any words, thoughts or feelings that go through your mind when you’re out on track?

As drivers, when the adrenaline flows, you’re constantly thinking on your feet, what happens to your car, the tyres, and most importantly, yourself. Any other emotions are cancelled out, and you are laser focused on driving the car as fast as possible and crossing the finish line.

To be as quick as possible, I have to drive with feel. If I have to think before I act, my reaction would be slower.

Q: With Darryl O’Young of Craft Bamboo Racing being an integral part of your racing career thus far, what do you think is the best piece of advice he has given you?

Darryl is a very wise man, a fantastic driver, and has accomplished so much in his career. He’s more than just a mentor, he’s like a second dad. We talk and share everything, and he is a pillar in my life that supports me in everything I undertake, he motivates me to train and push everyday, and is the main driving force behind everything I do.

Some advice from Darryl that has really stuck with me are “failure isn’t a bad thing, as long as you learn from it, and as long as you keep learning, you never lose” and “winning feels good, but it feels better to learn”.

Q: Describe a typical day for you, ie one day before a race, on race day itself or perhaps a day when you’re not behind the wheel

As an athlete, I have to keep my mind and body in shape. This involves a lot of gym work, and simulator training in the evenings. Besides all that, I also have to maintain my social media presence on Instagram and discord. Additionally, I also have team meetings to discuss the next steps for races.

When it comes to driving on the simulator, my favourite track is Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (commonly known as Spa). Each corner is different, with varying throttle and brake inputs from one corner to the next, and it is still my preferred circuit over others like Silverstone or the Nürburgring.

When I get time to enjoy my games, my go-to titles are Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Call of Duty Advanced Warfare and Warzone, as well as GTA 5!

Q: I’ve noticed the term “the dark horse” appearing frequently on your social media posts as well as it being the name of your NFT. Is there a story behind this?

Besides being the name of my Discord server, “Dark Horse” is the name of my community and my support system.

In every competition I have been in, I have always been considered the dark horse, the driver with the least experience and the lowest possible results or expectations. However, I regard it a form of motivation, and a constant reminder of my situation, and never to give up no matter how difficult it gets.

Q: What are your plans for the future, besides the ultimate goal of reaching Formula 1?

I’m just really set on entering Formula 1, but for now I’m going to concentrate on the formula car path, and do all I can to ready myself for what’s to come and any future opportunities in other forms of motorsport as my career progresses.

Q: Any parting words for people who might want to follow in your footsteps and chase the racing dreams themselves?

In racing and the racing world as a whole, the situation can be daunting, but always remember your goals and the things you want to do, and always keep on chasing and dreaming, work hard, and never forget about the ultimate prize.

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