Bianca Bustamante is pioneering driver who has been part of McLaren’s meteoric rise alongside Lando Norris

The image of Lando Norris and Bustamante beaming broadly at the May Miami Grand Prix perfectly captures the sense of family at McLaren.

Norris won her debut race that weekend, and Bustamante secured her first-ever F1 Academy podium.

Additionally, McLaren brought the fight to Red Bull and unveiled their first significant modifications in round six in Miami, when the season completely turned upside down.

With this weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, McLaren may win their first championship since 1998 and take the lead in the constructors’ championship.

“That weekend was a long time coming,” stated Bustamante, a 19-year-old McLaren Development Driver who participates in the F1 Academy, the only all-female competition.

“We could hardly score points as a McLaren team; now, we’re fighting for the constructors, and it’s huge.”

“We had a terrific time in Miami when I got my P2, and I will treasure that memory for the rest of my career.

“The McLaren team is really focused on family.” Oscar Piastri, Lando, and I all watch out for one another. They are each other’s greatest teammates.

The Philippines, where Bustamante was born and reared, has no discernible motorsport heritage or history.