The 18-year-old will sport a McLaren-themed livery in next year’s F1 Academy season while driving for ART Grand Prix.

As noted by McLar🔯en, the development programme is designed to help drivers such as B𝐆ustamante into F1, IndyCar and Formula E.

She finished 15th in𒁏 the 2022 W Series season, scoring points on just one occasion.

Bustamante currently sits seventh in this year’s F1 Acꦜademy standings with one round remaining in Austin.

Speaking of the announcement, she said: "This is such an unrealꦑ moment in my career, to sign with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is way beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined gro❀wing up racing karts in the Philippines. 

“I still have a hard time seeing my name next to M🌊cLaren without getting emotional, as the history and heritage linked to this team leaves me truly speechless.  

“I𝓡’m so grateful for this opportunity as I believe I now have the best possible development structure around me to take the next step up in my career, and for this I am so thankful. 2023 was all about improving my speed which I demonstrated across several races this year, but in 2024 my aim is to establish consistency and improve my mental strength in order to make a title challenge in the coming F1 Academy season.”

Team boss Andrea Stella added: “The team are delighted for Bianca to join us, and for McLaren to be involved in F1 Academy. It’s a core principle of ours to be a diver🍨se and inclusive team, so we’re pleased to be so involved in Formula 1’s work on the important topic of imp🎐roving gender diversity within motorsport. 

“We also look forward to seeing Bianca grow and progress within the McLaren Racing Driver Development programme under Emanu𓆏ele’s guidance.”