Young Bia Bustamante’s journey began with a dream, at the age of 5. From karting in small tracks to now being part of one of the most prestigious teams in motorsport, is built from her unwavering passion for racing.

The Journey to McLaren

At 3 years old, Bia’s love for racing was inspired by watching Formula 1 races with her father, a former karting driver Raymund Bustamante. It wasn’t long before she got behind the wheel of a go-kart, in which she navigated with a natural flair for control and speed. With her family’s unwavering support, Bia quickly rose through the ranks and won local karting championships in the Philippines.

International scouts took notice of Bia’s early success, and by the time she was a teenager. Her dream was becoming a reality with each race in national levels. Bia’s perseverance paid off when, at the age of 18, she was accepted into the F1 Academy in 2023, where she honed her skills and competed on a global platform. Signing into the McLaren Team is the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. 

“Race to Inspire” Event

Bia flew to the Philippines in early August of 2024. From August 9 to 11, Bia and her @cbr_media team hosted “Race to Inspire”, a three-day motorsports-themed event in Manila, supported by @GoTymeBank. It served as both a celebration of her accomplishments and a platform to encourage the upcoming generation of Filipino racers and a celebration of her accomplishments. 

The highlight of the event was an exclusive chat session with 30 lucky fans. Fans were given the chance to meet Bia, hear her story firsthand, ask her questions about her journey, and the unique opportunity to operate simulators. 

Inspiring the Young Generation

Bia’s rise through the ranks is a historical occasion for the Philippines because it establishes her as a role model for future Filipino drivers, serving as a ray of hope who aspire to succeed in the motorsports industry. Her journey from a small Philippine karting track to the Formula 1 global stage is evidence that anything is possible if one has enough determination. Bia Bustamante is committed to giving back to her community as she breaks down barriers and creates history with McLaren.