Bustamante’s season to kick off in the 2023 Formula 4 UAE Championship this weekend
PREMA to offer testing and driver development for Bustamante across 5 racing rounds in the Middle East
Valuable winter series for teen Filipina in preparation for upcoming 2023 season
Filipino rising star, Bianca Bustamante has joined PREMA for the upcoming Formula 4 UAE Championship in preparation for the upcoming 2023 season. The announcement comes off the back of an impressive rookie year in 2022 which saw the up-and-coming Asian talent transition from karts to formula cars.
The teenage racer from Laguna, Philippines will kick off her 2023 season with the iconic Italian team in the 2023 Formula 4 UAE Championship, which sees a massive grid of 40 cars. Beginning on the 13th of January, Bustamante will compete in a 5-round, 15-race series visiting Dubai, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi.
The winter series will serve as an integral preparation for the 2023 season, during which Bustamante aims to work on her race experience and develop her driving techniques. She will also receive considerable seat time in the new Tatuus F4 T421 GEN2 car across the events, each consisting of multiple test days, free practice, qualifying and 3 races per weekend; allowing her to get familiar with the car and the circuits to push herself further as a driver.
Today’s announcement is a breakthrough achievement for Bustamante, as she signs with one of the most celebrated and successful racing organizations with a proven track record in developing young and rising talent. The team has 40 years of racing experience with the highest level of technical support, driver training and on-track performance, which will equip Bustamante with all the tools to reach her full potential on the track.
Bustamante has been breaking barriers and setting milestones for female motorsports in the Philippines and across Asia. Having completed a full season with the W Series Academy team in 2022 - and finishing as the highest classified rookie in the Driver Standings, the young Filipina is making another leap towards her ultimate goal - Formula 1.
Bustamante’s opportunity is made possible through support from Lance East Office, the family office of successful gaming and tech entrepreneur Laurence Escalante. As part of the sponsorship, Bustamante and her car will promote his Lance East Exotics brand. Mr Escalante is passionate about supporting rising talent in both business and motorsports, he wishes Bianca all the best for 2023 and looks forward to watching on from the sidelines.
About PREMA
Founded in 1983 by Angelo Rosin and Giorgio Piccolo, PREMA Racing has become the leading contender in junior single-seater racing. It is widely recognized as the third force in Italian motorsports, sitting just behind F1 teams Ferrari and Alpha Tauri in terms of size, achievements and competition profile. Not only PREMA entered a wide variety of racing championships, from Formula 2 to Formula 4, but also excelled in all of them.
2023 Formula 4 UAE Championship Season Calendar
13 to 14 January 2023 Round 1 - Dubai Autodrome, Dubai
27 to 28 January 2023 Round 2 - Kuwait Motor Town, Ali Sabah Al Salem
01 to 02 February 2023 Round 3 - Kuwait Motor Town, Ali Sabah Al Salem
11 to 12 February 2023 Round 4 - Dubai Autodrome, Dubai
18 to 19 February 2023 Round 5 - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
Bianca Bustamante | Race Driver
“I'm very excited to be joining PREMA for the F4 UAE. PREMA is one of the most prestigious racing organizations in the world, and it’s truly an honour to be able to drive for them. This winter, I will gain much-needed seat time to perform at my best in competition as we head into the 2023 season. Thank you PREMA for giving me this incredible opportunity. Most importantly, thanks to Laurence Escalante and Lance East Exotics for believing in me and supporting me on my racing journey.”
Rene Rosin | Team Principal
“We are delighted to welcome Bianca for 2023 as she joins us for F4 UAE. We are really looking forward to working with her and I think Bianca will be an outstanding fit right from the start considering what she was able to achieve in her first season in single-seaters. We will support her progression to the maximum to help her express her full potential.”