Filipina rising star Bianca Bustamante has been announced as the newest Development Driver for CUPRA KIRO, the American-owned challenger in the FIA Formula E World Championship. The signing follows Bustamante’s standout third-place finish at the 2024 Formula E all-women test in Jarama, Spain—an achievement that turned heads in the paddock.
The 20-year-old will officially join the team trackside at the 2025 Jakarta E-Prix, shadowing full-time CUPRA KIRO drivers Dan Ticktum and David Beckmann as she begins integrating with the squad. It will mark her first public appearance in the team’s signature copper and fluorescent yellow livery.
Bustamante’s first on-track outing with CUPRA KIRO is scheduled for July 14, during the official Formula E rookie test at the Tempelhof Street Circuit in Berlin—one of the championship’s most technical and physically demanding venues. To prepare, she’ll undergo extensive simulator training and engineering briefings to ensure she’s fully ready to tackle the “raw and unforgiving” layout built atop the historic Tempelhof Airport.
Despite the demands of her new Formula E role, Bustamante will continue to race full-time in the GB3 Championship with Elite Motorsport. The dual program is designed to further her development as a single-seater driver as she climbs the motorsport ladder with Formula 1 ambitions firmly in sight.
Bianca Bustamante, Development Driver, CUPRA KIRO
“I’m beyond excited to join CUPRA KIRO as their Development Driver and take this next step in my Formula E journey. Even in the short time we’ve worked together, I’ve been inspired by the team’s bold, disruptive approach and their relentless pursuit of performance. Being around talents like Dan and David is a huge opportunity to grow, and I plan to apply everything I learn here directly into my GB3 campaign. I can’t wait to get to Jakarta, dive into the team environment, and then take the wheel in Berlin this July.”
Russell O’Hagan, Chief Operating Officer, CUPRA KIRO
“We’re thrilled to welcome Bianca to the CUPRA KIRO family. In just three years, she’s shown extraordinary progress in single-seaters and has become a vital advocate for greater inclusion in motorsport. Supporting the next generation of drivers is a cornerstone of our team’s mission, and Bianca fits that vision perfectly. Her energy, talent, and perspective will add real value to the team—and we’re excited to help fuel her development as a world-class driver. We’re all looking forward to seeing her in action in Berlin.”