Former McLaren junior and F1 Academy competitor Bianca Bustamante has signed with Alex Palou Motorsport for the 2026 Eurocup-3 season, marking a new chapter as the team founded by IndyCar champion Alex Palou continues to expand its European racing presence. Incorporating the Alex Palou Motorsport 2026 initiative, this move signals an important opportunity for Bustamante following her departure from McLaren amid legal disputes.
Bustamante Moves Forward After McLaren Departure
Bustamante made headlines in 2023 when she became the first woman to join the McLaren junior driver development program while competing in the F1 Academy. Before the 2025 campaign began, it was confirmed that she and McLaren had parted ways. This decision came just before McLaren’s legal proceedings against a former reserve driver were heard, creating further public attention around the team’s internal dynamics.
During the past year, Bustamante competed in the GB3 championship, concluding her season in 22nd place in the drivers’ standings. She finished 449 points behind Alex Ninovic, who secured the title, highlighting the competitive challenges she faced in the crowded field.
Stepping Up to Eurocup-3 with Alex Palou’s Team
Bustamante, now 20, confirmed her advancement by announcing she will race for Palou Motorsport starting with the 2026 season. The team, launched in 2023 by Alex Palou—a four-time IndyCar champion—and his father Ramon Palou, has quickly positioned itself as a contender in European motorsport. Their strategic technical support from PREMA Racing, an outfit with which Bustamante has previous experience from her F1 Academy stint, is expected to bolster her comeback.
On social media, Bustamante described her excitement about rejoining teams and colleagues she respects, stating:
“Two years later, I find myself back in red – just a step higher and a couple kph faster hehe.”
— Bianca Bustamante, Racing Driver
She continued:
“So so happy to announce that I’ll be joining Palou Motorsport for the Eurocup-3 season with technical support by Prema.”
— Bianca Bustamante, Racing Driver
Highlighting her eagerness for the new chapter, she added:
“Such an honour to be part of an incredible squad led by Ramon Palou & Alex Palou, 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.”
— Bianca Bustamante, Racing Driver
Bustamante credited
“a combined group of highly experienced and determined people”
for this next opportunity, and expressed her anticipation for growth and learning within the team environment.
She acknowledged the continued difficulty for drivers in the sport, remarking:
“Everyone knows how incredibly difficult it is to survive in this sport, and even more so to move up.”
— Bianca Bustamante, Racing Driver
She further recognized the ongoing support from sponsors, mentors, and fans:
“I truly couldn’t be doing this without everyone’s support, my team, my sponsors, especially my long term supporters Laurence Escalante & the Lee Collection, and of course, all of you that have been with me since the beginning on this beautiful journey.”
Palou Motorsport’s Rapid Growth and Past Controversies
Alex Palou’s new team, founded alongside his father Ramon, has been making significant moves since its inception. Palou himself was formerly aligned with McLaren as a reserve F1 driver in 2023, but the relationship deteriorated after he opted to remain with Chip Ganassi Racing for an extended IndyCar future rather than joining McLaren’s IndyCar squad as previously agreed.
This decision led to McLaren initiating a lawsuit, seeking $19.5 million in damages due to an alleged contract breach. The case was addressed at London’s High Court, with public exchanges revealing internal disputes about the roles of key figures like Zak Brown in team decisions. Brown refuted some claims associated with Palou’s actions, emphasizing:
“anyone who follows our sport will see straight through them.”
— Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
What Bustamante’s New Role Means for the Future
Bustamante’s assignment to Alex Palou Motorsport places her at the center of the team’s Alex Palou Motorsport 2026 campaign, offering her a robust support system and enhanced developmental opportunities through PREMA Racing. The move signifies renewed momentum for her career and diversification for the team, while also serving as a testament to the resilience required in top-tier motorsport. As both Bustamante and Palou Motorsport prepare for the Eurocup-3 season across Europe, their partnership is positioned to attract attention from fans and sponsors alike, highlighting the evolving landscape of opportunities in international racing competitions.
