Bianca Bustamante crashes during qualifying in Zandvoort. Image: racerbia/Instagram

Filipino racing prodigy Bianca Bustamante faced an unexpected setback as she was unable to compete in race 1 of round 4 at the F1 Academy series in Zandvoort. 

A crash during qualifying resulted in significant damage to her chassis, preventing her from taking part in the race. Currently fifth in the drivers’ standings, this setback was a significant blow to her championship aspirations.

Reflecting on the unfortunate turn of events, the first Filipina McLaren Development driver shared her thoughts on Instagram: “Sometimes all the hard work and preparation for a perfect weekend don’t yield the results you hope for. Instead of a flawless performance, everything seemed to go wrong from the very start.”

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She went on to describe the situation as “disheartening,” acknowledging the frustration of having technical issues and mistakes disrupt what was anticipated to be a promising weekend. Despite these challenges, Bustamante remained determined and hopeful.

In her post, she continued: “Although this week has been tough, and we’ve faced significant challenges, I am not giving up. The weekend is still unfolding, and I am determined to fight through these obstacles. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support from my team and fans who continue to stand by me during these difficult times. Your encouragement means the world to me.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bianca Bustamante 🏁 (@racerbia)

Bustamante concluded with a message of resilience and optimism: “Never back down, never give up!! We face adversity head-on and push forward with even greater determination. Tomorrow, we come back stronger. Race 1 & 2 are on the horizon, and I am ready to give it everything I’ve got.”

Despite the current setback, Bustamante remains resolute in her commitment to recover and excel in the upcoming races. Recently, the 19-year-old racer returned to the Philippines to promote motorsport with a special event in Manila. This appearance ignited the fire within her as she returned to the track following the “Race to Inspire” event at the Mall of Asia Arena Aug. 9 to 11.

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