McLaren F1 team AXE driver in shock decision following…read more
In a surprising turn of events, McLaren’s Formula 1 team has removed driver Bianca Bustamante from their official website ahead of the 2025 season. This decision comes after McLaren clinched the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, marking their first such victory since 1998. Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri played pivotal roles in this achievement, with both aiming for their inaugural Drivers’ Championship titles in the upcoming season.
Lando Norris emerged as a formidable contender against Max Verstappen in 2024, while Oscar Piastri showcased his prowess by securing two race wins, underscoring his potential within the team.
Beyond their primary F1 lineup, McLaren has invested significantly in nurturing young talent through their development program. Notable members include IndyCar standout Pato O’Ward and promising racers such as Ugo Ugochukwu, Alex Dunne, and Ella Lloyd.
Ella Lloyd is set to represent McLaren in the 2025 F1 Academy season, succeeding Bianca Bustamante. The 20-year-old Bustamante had participated in the previous two seasons of the all-female racing series. For the 2025 season, she will transition to the GB3 Championship, driving for Elite Motorsport alongside 2024 F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling.
Reports from Feeder Series indicate that Bustamante is no longer part of McLaren’s development program. This development has raised questions within the motorsport community, given her prior association with the team.
Bianca Bustamante’s journey in motorsport has been noteworthy. In October 2023, she made history by becoming the first female driver to join McLaren’s Driver Development Programme. At that time, she was competing in the F1 Academy with Prema Racing and had secured two wins and two podium finishes. Her association with McLaren was seen as a significant step forward for diversity in motorsport.
In the 2024 season, Bustamante raced under the McLaren banner with ART Grand Prix in the F1 Academy, donning the team’s iconic papaya livery. Her participation was emblematic of McLaren’s commitment to supporting emerging female talent in racing.
The decision to part ways with Bustamante has not been accompanied by an official statement from McLaren, leaving room for speculation. Some analysts suggest that the move could be part of a broader strategy to realign the team’s development focus, while others believe it might be due to performance considerations or contractual agreements.
Ella Lloyd, who will be stepping into the role previously held by Bustamante, is a 19-year-old Welsh driver who made her F1 Academy debut as a Wild Card entry in Singapore in September 2024, finishing in the points in both races. She was subsequently announced as the newest member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme in October 2024. Her rapid progression within the team underscores McLaren’s confidence in her potential.
As the 2025 season approaches, McLaren’s decisions regarding their driver lineup and development program will be closely watched. The departure of Bustamante marks a significant shift, and her performance in the GB3 Championship with Elite Motorsport will be a focal point for those tracking the careers of emerging talents in motorsport.
In conclusion, McLaren’s unexpected decision to remove Bianca Bustamante from their development program and website reflects the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of motorsport affiliations. As teams continually assess and adjust their strategies to remain competitive, such moves, while surprising, are part and parcel of the evolving landscape of Formula 1 and its feeder series.
