PREMA announces its first F1 Academy driver

After Léna Bühler yesterday with ART Grand Prix, it is PREMA's turn to announce its first pilot entered for the brand new championship of F1 Academy: Bianca Bustamante. The 18-year-old began her career in car at the start of the 2022 season. She notably took part in the W Series championship and ended this campaign, aborted for lack of funding, in 15th place overall, making her the first of the championship rookies. She scored her first points in the opening Grand Prix of the year. Bustamante is already associated with PREMA in UAE F4 for the 2023 season.

Just like Bühler, the first to have registered her name in this new 100% female category, the driver from the Philippines was able to bounce back with the Italian team.

BREAKING: Bianca Bustamante joins @PREMA_Team for the inaugural F1 Academy season! 🤩

The Filipino driver becomes the Italian squad's first signing ✍️#F1Academy pic.twitter.com/viM3BqHSlk

— F1 Academy (@f1academy) February 3, 2023

« I am very happy to join PREMA for this 2023 season, enthuses the Filipina, before looking back on her first season in single-seaters. As a beginner, 2022 was a year full of challenges, and today is a big step forward in my career »

« PREMA is one of the most prestigious teams in the world, I am extremely grateful to be part of their drivers, she continues. With PREMA, I join a cutting-edge development program both on and off the track. And, most importantly, I would be able to undergo rigorous race and test training, giving me the necessary riding time to perform at my best in competition. I thank PREMA for integrating me into this program, and to Formula 1 for launching this championship which supports young female drivers.. “And to add:” And I want to thank Laurence Escalante for believing in me and supporting me in my career, bringing me closer to my F1 dreams. »

« We are happy to announce Bianca to our new F1 Academy program, declares René Rosin, team principal of PREMA. NOTWe enjoy working together for the UAE F4 Championship, and we feel great potential to work together for the future. Seeing what she was able to do in her first experiences, I think she will be exceptional from the start and we are determined to provide her with the best possible support. »

The F1 Academy will feature five teams: ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, Rodin Carlin, MP Motorsport and PREMA Racing.

ALSO READ > Léna Bühler, first driver entered in F1 Academy