Alex Palou racing team has secured the signature of former McLaren F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante for the 2026 Eurocup-3 season. The Filipino competitor, known for her rise through international motorsport ranks, will represent Palou Motorsport in both the Eurocup-3 Winter Series and Championship Series next year, marking a significant step in her evolving racing career.
Bustamante rose to prominence after her 2023 debut in the F1 Academy under PREMA Racing, where she captured two victories. Her standout performances attracted attention from McLaren talent scouts, who made her the first female driver to join the prestigious McLaren driver development program. This accomplishment not only elevated her profile but also paved the way for her subsequent roles within high-caliber motorsport categories.
Representing McLaren, Bustamante competed for ART Grand Prix in the 2024 F1 Academy season. However, she faced challenges in her sophomore year and transitioned to Formula E as Cupra Kiro’s development driver. Now, she will return to traditional circuit racing by joining Palou Motorsport for the full Eurocup-3 calendar. Palou Motorsport, established by reigning four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou and his father Ramon Palou in 2023, gives her the platform to compete at the European level once more.
Bustamante Celebrates New Chapter with Familiar Faces
Bustamante announced her return to PREMA technical partnership via an Instagram post, where she reflected on her journey and excitement for a new opportunity:
“Two years later, I find myself back in red ❤️🩹 just a step higher and a couple kph faster hehe. So so happy to announce that I’ll be joining Palou Motorsport for the @eurocup_3 season with technical support by @prema_team AAAAAA 🥹👊🏻 Such an honour to be part of an incredible squad led by Ramon Palou & @alexpalou , and to work again 2 years later with the technical crew of PREMA Racing, a team I raced with in the 2023 F1 Academy season. A combined group of highly experienced and determined people behind this, and I can’t wait to continue learning and growing with their guidance!! Another big year in my motorsport career, competing all over Europe in a bigger and faster car.” – Bianca Bustamante, Driver
The 2026 deal also symbolizes a reunion with PREMA Racing, the Italian outfit that played a central role in her rookie year. Last December, PREMA Racing confirmed a partnership with Palou Motorsport to supply engineering expertise throughout the upcoming Eurocup-3 campaigns. For Bustamante, this means racing once again with technical support from a group she already knows well—augmenting her prospects for the new season.
Unfolding Drama Between Alex Palou and McLaren
Interestingly, the addition of Bianca Bustamante to Alex Palou’s racing team follows a period of significant legal tensions involving Palou and McLaren. The complexity arises from a breach of contract dispute that originated in 2022. Palou, a highly regarded Spaniard in open-wheel racing, initially broke his agreement with Chip Ganassi Racing to sign with Arrow McLaren for 2023. According to Palou, the move was influenced by McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s assurances of a Formula 1 drive—a seat that ultimately went to Oscar Piastri alongside Lando Norris at the Woking-based squad.
When his F1 hopes were dashed, Palou reneged on the new contract with McLaren and instead extended his association with Chip Ganassi Racing. This led to a major fallout, with McLaren filing a lawsuit seeking over $20 million in damages, citing lost sponsorship funds tied to Palou’s anticipated arrival.
Court proceedings commenced in London in September last year and wrapped up within a month. During the hearings, unexpected allegations surfaced. For example, lawyers representing Palou accused Zak Brown of deleting evidence by employing disappearing WhatsApp messages, an action Brown defended as part of established company policy. Motorsport insiders now await the court’s final decision, which is expected in the first quarter of 2026.
What This Means for European Racing and Talent Development
The recruitment of Bustamante by the Alex Palou racing team signals a renewed commitment to fostering rising talent within a team led by proven IndyCar champions. Her journey—from debuting as a rookie to partnering again with PREMA and now under the mentorship of the Palou family—illustrates the increasing mobility and international connections among developing drivers in Europe.
As the motorsport world waits for legal clarity in the Alex Palou-McLaren dispute, the focus shifts to Bustamante’s performance on the track. With the combination of experienced mentors, technical support from PREMA, and the evolving vision of Palou Motorsport, 2026 promises to be a defining year not just for Bustamante, but for the broader Eurocup-3 landscape.
