​McLaren has hired Filipina Bianca Bustamante, becoming the first woman in its driver development program, the Formula 1 team announced, as quoted by DPA.

Bianca BustamantePhoto: Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia

Filipina Bianca Bustamante (18 years old), in the McLaren F1 Academy program

Bustamante made her racing debut in 2022 in the Women’s W Series, and this year she started in the inaugural Women’s F1 Academy with Prema Racing, taking two wins and two podiums.

The Filipina sits seventh in the Formula 1 Academy standings ahead of the final two races in Austin (October 21, 22).

From 2024, 18-year-old Bustamante will represent McLaren on the starting grid of the F1 Academy.

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella said: “The team is delighted to have Bianca join us for the F1 Academy.

Our core principle is to be a diverse and inclusive team, so we are delighted to be involved in Formula 1’s work on the important topic of improving gender diversity in motorsport.”

The Formula 1 Academy is a women’s championship that this season has gathered 15 participants competing in 21 races and offers a chance to move to a higher level of competition, reports Agerpres.

Next year, all ten Formula One teams will have one female driver and one single-seater registered to the Formula One Academy.