Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Development driver

  • Cupra Kiro sign Bianca Bustamante as Development Driver

    CUPRA KIRO have signed Bianca Bustamante as their official Development Driver.

    After impressing on the Asian karting scene, Bustamante, who hails from the Philippines, stepped up to professional competition in 2022 and made an immediate mark in junior single-seaters.

    The 20 year old raced in w Series before joining F1 Academy where, from 2023 to 2024, she represented PREMA Racing and ART Grand Prix.
    After securing two victories and a total of five podiums in a highly competitive field, Bianca stepped up to the hotly contested GB3 Championship for 2025.

    Bustamante has previous Formula E experience after representing NEOM McLaren and setting the third-fastest time in Formula E’s Women’s Test at Jarama in 2024.

    As Development Driver, Bustamnate made her first official appearance in CUPRA KIRO colours at the Jakarta weekend, where she shadowed full-time drivers Dan Ticktum and David Beckmann while embedding herself in the team.

    Her first appearance as a CUPRA KIRO driver will follow at the Berlin E-Prix where she will participate in Formula E’s annual rookie test at the Tempelhof Circuit on 14th July.

    I’m really excited to join CUPRA KIRO as the team’s Development Driver as I continue my Formula E journey. In the very short time that we’ve been working together, it’s been incredible to experience the team’s disruptive approach to racing in action and to see the team’s hunger and desire for success first-hand. Working with Dan, David, and the team is an invaluable opportunity for me at this stage of my career, and I’m looking forward to applying everything I learn into the GB3 Championship in 2025. I’m excited to absorb everything on-site in Jakarta and of course, to drive the team’s current Season 11 car in Berlin this July.
    Bustamante on the news.

    On behalf of the team, I’m delighted to welcome Bianca to CUPRA KIRO. Since stepping up to single seater racing only three years ago, Bianca has not only proven that she is a force to be reckoned with but has become one of the leading voices in promoting female participation in motorsport by widening the industry’s talent pipeline. Opening and fostering opportunities for next generation racing drivers is integral to the future of our sport, and while we’re looking forward to seeing Bianca’s contribution to CUPRA KIRO, we’re equally excited to support her own development as an athlete. I can’t wait to see her embed herself in the team over the coming weeks ahead of her Rookie Test outing in Berlin.
    Russell O’Hagan, Chief Operating Officer, CUPRA KIRO.

  • Ferrari name new reserve & development drivers for 2024

    Ferrari have announced that Oliver Bearman and Arthur Leclerc will step up to respective reserve and development driver roles for the 2024 season, providing extra support to the iconic F1 team.

    Bearman will share the reserve role with former F1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman ready to step in should either Leclerc or Sainz be unable to race.

    Arthur Leclerc, meanwhile joins Antonio Fuoco and Davide Rigon in the development driver ranks, which includes working in the simulator, car development, set up works and any updates throughout the season.

    After an impressive rookie season that saw him take four race wins, six podium finishes and placed sixth in the championship standings, British driver Bearman will stay in F2 for a sophomore campaign with Prema Racing this year.

    As for Leclerc, brother of Charles, the Monegasque will move from the single-seater category to the Italian GT Championship, having recently left the Ferrari Driver Academy but stayed within the manufacturer’s overall set-up.

  • Bortoleto joins McLaren Driver Development programme

    McLaren have announced that Gabriel Bortoleto has joined their Driver Development programme.
    The 2023 FIA Formula 3 Champion will work under the mentorship of former McLaren test driver, Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner, Emanuele Pirro, who leads the programme.

    Bortoleto, 18 made his single-seater debut in 2020 in the Italian F4 Championship where he won in the Monza and Mugello rounds.
    The Brazilian then moved on to the Formula Regional Championship by Alpine in 2021 and 2022, before gaining a seat in Formula 3 with Trident and taking the title at his first attempt.

    The McLaren Driver Development programme was formed in April, with the aim to support young drivers in their development from karting to professional racing driver to facilitate the progression of emerging talent into F1.
    Other members include Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward, McLaren’s 2024 F1 reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa and McLaren Young Driver, Ugo Ugochukwu.

    McLaren have also signed a one-year option on Italian Formula 4 driver, Brando Badoer, who will be assessed by the team over the next year, with the potential to join the Driver Development programme full time at the end of his evaluation.

    I’m excited to be joining the McLaren Driver Development programme. I’m grateful to McLaren and Emanuele for giving me this opportunity. I’ve already been in the MTC (McLaren Technology Centre) for a tour and to meet the team, which was a really nice experience. I’m looking forward to continuing working on my development alongside a great team.

    Bortoleto on the news.

    I’m pleased to welcome Gabriel to the McLaren Driver Development programme. I’ve known him well since the beginning of his motorsport career and he’s got all that is needed on and off track to be a star. He also fits very well with our team culture at McLaren. I look forward to working with Gabriel and helping him develop in his motorsport career.

    Programme Director Pirro.
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CyAuZjDoPLV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

  • McLaren announce reserve driver for 2024

    McLaren have announced that Japanese driver, Ryo Hirakawa will join their Driver Development programme for 2024, while also becoming a reserve driver for the team.

    Hirakawa claimed the 2022 Hypercar World Endurance Drivers’ Championship title with Toyota – including taking victory in that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans – while he currently leads the 2023 championship, having just won the 6 Hours of Portimao race.
    Not only that, but the Japanese driver also has experience in his nation’s Super GT and Super Formula categories.

    McLaren confirmed that the 29 year old will run laps in the team’s 2021-spec MCL35M as part of a testing programme, while also completing simulator work at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK alongside his role with Toyota.

    I’m happy to have joined the McLaren F1 Team as a reserve driver. It’s an exciting prospect to work with such a respected team and I’m grateful to Zak [Brown, McLaren Racing CEO] and Andrea [Stella, McLaren Team Principal] for the opportunity. I’ve already met the team and experienced the simulator at MTC which has allowed me to hit the ground running. I’m now fully prepared and focused for the remainder of 2023.

    Hirakawa, on the news.

    I’m pleased to welcome Ryo to McLaren Racing as a Formula 1 reserve driver to further strengthen our growing support driver pool. We are thankful to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing for their collaboration by allowing Ryo to take on the new role alongside his driving duties. He has an impressive record on track, winning Le Mans as well as the FIA World Endurance Championship. We look forward to working closely with Ryo, who has already spent time on the simulator at MTC. His wealth of experience will benefit the team in a number of areas as he joins our strong stable of drivers.

    McLaren Team Principal, Andrea Stella.
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CxegDIIIFv8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==