McLaren’s Formula 1 team has made a surprising move for the 2025 season by removing one of their young drivers, Bianca Bustamante, from their official website. This marks a significant change following a successful 2024 campaign, where McLaren secured their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be looking to make an even bigger impact in 2025, with the goal of securing their first individual titles.
In 2024, Norris emerged as a serious contender for the drivers’ championship, taking the fight to Max Verstappen. The British driver’s impressive performances were complemented by his teammate, Piastri, who also had a standout year. The Australian secured two race wins and demonstrated his potential to challenge Norris within the team. However, despite the competitive dynamic between Norris and Piastri, McLaren has made it clear that they will not implement team orders in 2025. This decision highlights their commitment to allowing both drivers to race freely, with no favoritism toward either driver. McLaren’s focus for 2025 will be to challenge not only Red Bull, the dominant force in Formula 1, but also Ferrari, who will likely be more competitive in the coming season.
While McLaren’s F1 lineup remains solid with Norris and Piastri, the team also boasts a strong presence in the motorsport world outside of Formula 1. Their young driver program continues to thrive, with notable talents like IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward, who has been part of McLaren’s development efforts for some time. Alongside O’Ward, other promising stars include Ugo Ugochukwu, Alex Dunne, and Ella Lloyd. These drivers represent the future of McLaren’s racing ambitions across various series, not just Formula 1.
One of the key figures in McLaren’s young driver program is 20-year-old Ella Lloyd, who is set to race in the 2025 F1 Academy season under McLaren’s banner. This follows the departure of Bianca Bustamante, who was previously part of McLaren’s development program. Bustamante had been competing in the F1 Academy, an all-female racing series, for the past two seasons, but her future with McLaren now seems uncertain. In 2024, she finished seventh in the championship, managing just one podium finish throughout the year. Despite this, Bustamante has maintained a strong following among motorsport fans, boasting 1.6 million Instagram followers and a loyal fanbase.
The change in McLaren’s driver lineup for 2025 also sees Bustamante leaving the team’s young driver program. Her profile has been removed from the official McLaren website, which suggests that the team and the driver have parted ways. Bustamante’s removal from the website has raised eyebrows in the motorsport community, as it signifies that she is no longer part of McLaren’s future plans. The team’s focus seems to have shifted toward other emerging talents like Ella Lloyd, who will continue to compete in the F1 Academy series before transitioning to GB3 with Elite Motorsport in 2025.
For Bustamante, the next step in her racing career is expected to take her to GB3, where she will race alongside the 2024 F1 Academy champion, Abbi Pulling. This transition represents a new challenge for Bustamante, who is eager to continue her motorsport journey despite the recent setbacks. The change in her relationship with McLaren comes after two seasons of competition in the F1 Academy, where she struggled to consistently finish on the podium.
Although her time with McLaren seems to be over, Bustamante’s popularity among motorsport fans remains strong. Her social media presence and loyal fanbase could help her secure opportunities with other teams or in different racing series. Bustamante’s future in motorsport is still uncertain, but she remains a well-known figure in the world of racing, and her career is likely far from over.
In conclusion, McLaren’s decision to part ways with Bianca Bustamante is one of the biggest surprises leading into the 2025 season. While the team’s Formula 1 ambitions are focused on Norris and Piastri, the shifting dynamics in their young driver program reflect the team’s evolving strategy for the future. As Bustamante moves on from McLaren, the team will continue to invest in promising young talents like Ella Lloyd, who will race for McLaren in the F1 Academy before taking on new challenges in GB3. The future of McLaren’s driver development program looks bright, with an emphasis on nurturing talent across various motorsport disciplines.
