Photographed by Jordi Terry, courtesy of Storm Models
Bianca Bustamante attended the Laureus Sports Awards for the first time as a Laureus Global Sport ambassador. Right before the event, she spoke to Vogue Philippines about her journey as a Filipino woman in motorsport and the significance of being a Laureus Sport Global Ambassador.
Racing isn’t something that Bianca Bustamante does only literally. As the first known Filipina racer to win international motorsport awards, she is also trailblazing her way to the peak of her career by attending the 2026 Laureus Awards as a Global Sport Ambassador.
Held in Madrid, Spain, the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards is recognized as the premier celebration of the year’s sporting achievements and is often referred to as the “Oscars of sport.” With this prestige, the event is primarily attended by the top sportsmen and sportswomen from various disciplines.
Bustamante considers being invited to this event a very monumental moment for any athlete. “They come here to celebrate not just their sport, but also the highs and lows that come with being an athlete,” she told Vogue Philippines. “I think being able to represent motorsport and many females in sport in general is a huge source of pride for me.”
Bustamante is a self-starting F1 Academy rider who began racing competitively at age five. While local karting has seen many Filipino women over the years, she is the athlete who transitioned the sport onto the global stage by winning an official FIA-sanctioned single-seater race, a competition that follows the strict rules and safety standards set by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the world governing body for motorsports.
She considers being part of the McLaren Development Program, which supports young racing drivers from karting to Formula 1, a pivotal point in her career. “I was able to learn the fundamentals that helped me become a professional in the sport, from ethics down to the technicalities of actually driving a car,” she says. “I learned so much, far beyond any experience I could have gained in life or in the sport in general.”
With the effort she has put in, Bustamante was welcomed as a Laureus Sport Global Ambassador who works with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation to advocate for the use of sport as a tool for social change, tackling issues such as youth violence, inequality, and lack of education. “I think there’s a lot of good that we can do together. We’re a living example of the quote that Nelson Mandela said about athletes having the power to change the world. I think in events like this, that’s what we try to do. We do not just commemorate success but also show the world that athletes are more than just competitors in the sport we play.”
While she is actively making a name for herself in the sport, Bustamante admits that she still sometimes feels a bit hesitant when making choices, but she believes in the importance of living with courage, of taking the leap even if you feel scared. “I would want girls to be just a little bit braver and not constantly live in the mold that was made for them,” she emphasizes. “But rather, carve their own paths.”
In Madrid, Spain, Bianca Bustamante took Vogue Philippines along as she got ready for the 2026 Laureus Sports Awards, wearing Stella McCartney.
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Photographed by Jordi Terry, courtesy of Storm Models1/9 -
Photographed by Jordi Terry, courtesy of Storm Models2/9 -
Photographed by Jordi Terry, courtesy of Storm Models3/9 -
Photographed by Jordi Terry, courtesy of Storm Models4/9 -
Photographed by Jordi Terry, courtesy of Storm Models5/9 -
Photographed by Jordi Terry, courtesy of Storm Models6/9 -
Photographed by Jordi Terry, courtesy of Storm Models7/9 -
Photographed by Jordi Terry, courtesy of Storm Models8/9 -
Photographed by Jordi Terry, courtesy of Storm Models9/9
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Laureus Sports Awards?
The Laureus Sports Awards are recognized as the premier celebration of the year’s sporting achievements and are often referred to as the “Oscars of Sport.” With this prestige, the event is primarily attended by the top sportsmen and sportswomen from various disciplines.
When were the Laureus Sports Awards held?
The Laureus Sports Awards were held on April 20, 2026, in Madrid, Spain.
Who is Bianca Bustamante?
Bianca Bustamante, the first known Filipina racer to win an international motorsport award, is a Global Sports Ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. She was photographed by Sharif Hamza for the cover of Vogue Philippines in July 2024.
What is the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation?
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is a charitable organization that advocates for the use of sport as a tool for social change. It invests in and supports efforts to tackle issues such as youth violence, inequality, health, and lack of education.
