Star driver CONFIRMS shock McLaren exit in official statement

A McLaren driver has confirmed their exit from the team, following a brutal axing from the Woking outfit's official website.

McLaren won the 2024 constructors' championship after a monumental battle with winners of the previous two titles Red Bull, and Ferrari, who they beat by just 11 points at the end of the season.

F1 HEADLINES: Hamilton HUMBLED as Red Bull star delivers brutal verdict over 2025 debate

READ MORE: McLaren F1 team AXE driver in shock decision

Star driver Lando Norris also put up a fight in the drivers' championship, pushing Max Verstappen all the way by claiming his first four career grands prix victories, before the Dutchman wrapped up his fourth title with two races to spare.

Heading into 2025, McLaren will be wary that their two closest challengers have new driver pairings, with Ferrari having signed seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to partner Charles Leclerc, and Red Bull replacing Sergio Perez with Liam Lawson.

Click here to shop the 2024 FIA Formula 1 Constructors' Champions Collection and celebrate McLaren's first title in 26 years.

McLaren's young driver programme

Away from Formula 1, McLaren also have plenty of talent within their driver development programme, including IndyCar star Pato O'Ward, Ugo Ugochukwu, and Ella Lloyd.

However, that young driver programme now appears to have lost an up-and-coming star, with Bianca Bustamante confirming via her Instagram page that she has left the team.

Bustamante raced the inaugural two seasons of the F1 Academy series, claiming five podiums and two race victories while also amassing 1.6 million followers on her Instagram account.

Earlier this week, McLaren appeared to have dropped Bustamante from the drivers' page on their official website, as she prepares for a new journey.

The Philippine driver will race in the GB3 Championship in 2025 with Elite Motorsport, joining F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling in the series as the pair make the next steps in their racing careers.

READ MORE: Official deal COMPLETED as F1 legend Vettel makes stunning comeback

Now, Bustamante has revealed the first day in her new job, confirming her exit from McLaren in an official statement, thanking McLaren CEO Zak Brown for the opportunity.

"Feels like first day of school again," the caption on her post read. "The new season officially kicks off for us today as it’s my first day's testing in the brand new Tatuus MSV GB3-025. Honestly the car looks and feels amazing, so much to learn and develop to prepare for our season.

"But this new beginning also marks the end of my two-year stint with F1 Academy and McLaren, this whole journey will have a bookmark as my favourite chapter of my career to date. I learned so much during my two years in the @f1academy, and it's prepared me well in many ways for the next step in my racing career, truly proud to be a graduate of F1 Academy.

"But most of all I want to give a big thank you to Zak, Steph, Warren and everyone at McLaren, for giving me so much support and guidance during my year with the team. It was such an invaluable experience, one that I never would have imagined as a junior driver. You all helped me get to where I am today.

"I look back at my time with McLaren with a full heart, but now it's eyes forward and full focus on my biggest challenge yet in the @gb3championship with @elitemotorsport_, round one kicks off in April at Silverstone. Lets gooooooo!"

READ MORE: Hamilton brought down to earth at Ferrari as F1 team principal statement issued

Related

F1 News & Gossip

F1 boss warns team in BIZARRE Red Bull and Ferrari 'poison' verdict

• February 9, 2025 22:57

McLaren News

McLaren F1 team AXE driver in shock decision

• February 9, 2025 09:56
• 2