Credits: CBR Media
Filipino racing driver Bianca Bustamante has taken a big step forward in her career by securing a place in the 2025 GB3 Championship, driving for UK-based Elite Motorsport.
Credits: GB3 Championship
Her first race in the series is scheduled to take place in April 2025 at the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.
Fresh off concluding her F1 Academy chapter in December at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the 19-year-old rising star is looking ahead to the next big challenge of her career. Due to F1 Academy regulations that restrict their drivers from participating in more than two seasons, 2024 served as her final year with McLaren Racing in the all-female series since she began in its inaugural season back in 2023. Bustamante’s signing in the GB3 Championship is an important step up the racing ladder, allowing her to gain experience in faster and higher downforce cars in preparation to her goal of reaching Formula 3. This will also mark Bustamante’s first full season in single seaters against a mixed male/female grid of drivers.
The 2025 season will see her behind the wheel of an all new car – the Tatuus MSV GB3-025. This latest generation of the Tatuus single-seater race car raises the bar for junior single seater racing, which includes new features such as DRS (Drag Reduction System) for the first time in GB3, along with a revised chassis and F1-inspired aerodynamics which sees a 35% increase in downforce compared to its predecessor. In addition, the two-litre Mountune engine has been upgraded to produce 280 hp – up from 250 hp from the previous generation GB3 car. Bustamante has already had a head start with a series of positive test days with Elite Motorsport in the older spec GB3 car.
The 2025 GB3 Championship season will consist of eight rounds across multiple circuits, with an even split of 4 European races and 4 races in the UK. The season opener will take place on April 26-27, hosted at the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit, with the final to take place on October 18-19 at the Monza Circuit in Italy. A key highlight to the GB3 Championship is a large amount of track time, with many testing opportunities as well as 3 races per weekend, totalling 24 races across the season.
Fans can follow all the action on the official GB3 website, the official live stream, and on the Sky Sports F1 channel.
| Bianca Bustamante Race Driver, Elite Motorsport “I’m very excited to begin my racing journey in the 2025 GB3 Championship with Elite Motorsport. We spent two days testing together in Spain last week with the old GB3 car, and it was very productive. We got off to a great start together and I felt comfortable with the team straight away, a really professional environment. I’m also really enjoying the higher downforce cars, the GB3 car is very responsive which gives me confidence to find the limits. Honestly I can’t wait to jump into the new car in January, really excited to get started with Elite in 2025. 2 years ago, I wouldn’t have even dreamed of being able to compete at this level. I’m so thankful to all my sponsors for believing in me and giving me this opportunity, as well as Elite Motorsport for the trust and confidence to give me this chance to join the team. I’m going to be pushing myself hard in the gym over the winter, to prepare for the most important season of my career to date. My heart is so full and just can’t wait to get to work!” |
| Eddie Ives Team Principal, Elite Motorsport “We are extremely pleased to welcome Bianca to Elite Motorsport. It is very clear Bianca has a fantastic attitude combined with total professionalism. I’m confident that with these attributes along with her experience and success she’s already accomplished in such a short space of time, together with the skills of my excellent GB3 team, will no doubt lead to a fantastic season.” |
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