Bianca Bustamante continues her steady rise through the motorsport ranks as she prepares for her first full Eurocup-3 season in 2026. The Filipina driver has positioned this move as a key milestone in her long-term ambition of reaching Formula 1.
After gaining recognition in junior categories, Bustamante now embraces a more demanding challenge. Eurocup-3 offers a vital stepping stone toward higher tiers such as FIA Formula 3, making this season pivotal for her development.
Winter Series lays a strong foundation for Bustamante ahead of 2026 Eurocup-3 campaign
Before the main championship begins, Bustamante sharpened her skills in the Eurocup-3 Winter Series. Competing across three circuits—Portugal’s Algarve International Circuit, Spain’s Circuito del Jarama, and MotorLand Aragón—she gained valuable experience in the new Dallara 326 car.
Driving for Palou Motorsport in partnership with PREMA Racing, she quickly adapted to the demands of the highly competitive 29-car grid. Notably, she remained the only female driver in the field, adding another layer of challenge to her campaign.
Additionally, transitioning into Eurocup-3 machinery required rapid adjustment. The Dallara 326, powered by a Tom’s Toyota turbo engine, presented a steep learning curve. Nevertheless, Bustamante approached each session with determination, refining both her race craft and technical understanding.
Despite facing illness and technical setbacks, Bustamante maintained consistent progress. She improved her pace, executed multiple overtakes, and demonstrated resilience under pressure. Her best finish of P13 highlighted her upward trajectory and ability to compete at this level.
Furthermore, her collaboration with Palou Motorsport and PREMA Racing strengthened over the series. This growing synergy proved essential in maximising performance and building confidence ahead of the main season.
Driver reflection: Growth through challenge
Reflecting on her Winter Series experience, Bustamante emphasised both the difficulties and rewards of the journey:
“My first Eurocup-3 Winter Series campaign is certainly a journey I will always remember. This is a car I never thought I would even come close to driving, let alone racing in a 29-car grid at this level. Every weekend brought new challenges, and every session helped me grow as a driver. The lows were tough, but the highs were so pure, and I am so grateful to Palou Motorsport, PREMA, and my engineer Luis for giving me a strong car and for supporting me throughout as we grew together and really found our rhythm. There was so much to learn across these three rounds, and I am proud of the progress we have made together. Now we turn our attention to the next step, heading into testing ahead of start of the main Eurocup-3 Championship in May. I cannot wait to see what we can achieve this year.”
Bustamante eyes 2026 Eurocup-3 Championship success
With the Winter Series complete, Bustamante now shifts her focus to testing and final preparations. The 2026 Eurocup-3 season begins at Circuit Paul Ricard in France from 1–3 May, followed by races in Portugal, Italy, the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Spain.
Each round will offer new opportunities to translate her early progress into consistent results. Moreover, strong performances could accelerate her progression toward FIA Formula 3. Thus, as the season approaches, she stands ready to take the next step in her career—one that could bring her closer to the ultimate goal of Formula 1.
