Filipina speedster Bianca Bustamante is in great shape as she braces for leg 2 of the 2024 F1 Academy Season.
The 19-year-old survived a crash-filled contest at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit last month to earn solid points in her debut as an official McLaren development driver.
![Bustamante](https://i0.wp.com/coverstory.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bianc1.jpg?resize=1024%2C711&ssl=1)
Despite some ups and downs, the teen racer currently holds fourth place in the standings after the opening round in Jeddah. She accumulated a total of 18 points, trailing behind Alpine’s Abbi Pulling, Maya Weug of Ferrari, and Mercedes-backed Doriane Pin.
Bustamante started fifth on the grid in Race 1 but lost a place after crossing the checkered flag in sixth.
In Race 2, Bustamante started 10th on the grid. However, she managed to maintain a respectable pace, finishing at 8th after a couple of strategic overtakes.
Post-race penalties
Bustamante was in luck, though, as a significant post-race penalty to the winner, Pin, changed the final standings.
Pin was handed a 20-second drive-through penalty after crossing the checkered flag twice. Similarly, Amna Al Qubaisi, who initially secured sixth place, faced a five-second penalty for veering off the track and gaining an unfair advantage.
![Bustamante as a McLaren developmental driver](https://i0.wp.com/coverstory.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bianc2.jpg?resize=1024%2C646&ssl=1)
Reflecting on the races, Bustamante expressed her satisfaction with the solid points haul.
“We couldn’t [maximize] our full potential, but we made the most of the situation to score solid points,” Bianca wrote in an Instagram post. “Most importantly, I learned a lot so big thanks to my team [ART Grand Prix] and [McLaren] for the great support.”
Pulling ahead
![Bustamante](https://i0.wp.com/coverstory.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bian3.jpg?resize=1024%2C568&ssl=1)
After the shake-up, the 21-year-old Pulling leads the pack with 44 points, followed by Weug and Pin in second and third place with 33 and 32 points, respectively.
Although claiming first place is now a tall order for the UST Angelicum College product, an improvement on last year’s 7th-place finish is imminent.
Bustamante is eagerly looking forward to capitalizing on her positive start to the season as the F1 Academy gears up for its return on May 3 to 5 in Miami.
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