Bustamante concludes 2022 British Grand Prix stint, gets ready for France

MANILA: After weeks of rigorous training and completing two successful days of the Indy Pro 2000 test in the US, Bianca Bustamante left for the UK. Bustamante was prepared to compete once again at the venerable Silverstone Circuit despite a five-week break since the previous W Series round in Barcelona. In typical British style, there were several occasions throughout the weekend when it drizzled. Bustamante was prepared for the challenge, having spent hours practicing in a sim and watching several onboard videos to gain more circuit knowledge.

A 30-minute practice session precedes a 30-minute qualifying session in the W Series, which runs as a support event to Formula 1. This limits track time compared to most typical race weekends. The race is the next day, giving little time on the course to determine the capabilities of the car. Bustamante's challenge was that she only had a limited mileage in single-seat formula cars, which has put her at a disadvantage from the start. She has shown development in every area as the weekend went on, but she still works extremely hard to study data and learn the driving tactics needed to operate the Formula 3 machinery rapidly. Bustamante ultimately finished P17 in Silverstone and left with more knowledge and expertise as her season approached the halfway mark.

Bustamante has shown her capacity to comprehend and regulate the behavior of her car. She is putting a lot of effort into obtaining track experience this year because a rookie must learn different circuits at each of the 10 races in the championship. Bustamante will spend the next two weeks in the Philippines before the championship resumes on July 22 with a doubleheader in France and Hungary.

In a statement, Bustamante said, “That’s a wrap for my first-ever British Grand Prix. What an amazing atmosphere! I have never seen such energy in the crowd. I learned so much about myself as a driver, I really wish I was able to show more. In the end, I just wasn't able to progress quickly enough. Qualified P17. Finished P17 in the race. I am using this as motivation to keep on improving, a long way to go but taking it one race at a time. In races like these, I focus on the positives and learn from my shortcomings. I believe in my ability to come back stronger! Now, all eyes are on France as we head there in two weeks. I am thankful to the team and crew as always! Silverstone was amazing, I can't wait to comeback next year!”

Photos from biancabustamante.com

Also read: Bustamante completes 3rd race in W Series 2022 with promising performance