Bianca Bustamante Takes You To The Paddock At The 2023 Singapore Grand Prix
F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante takes fans to an exclusive look at the paddock of this year’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Bianca Bustamante went back to Singapore for the 2023 Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend; but this time around, she went as a spectator. Bustamante last competed professionally in the lion city for the 2022 W Series, which was a support race for that year’s Grand Prix.
While the F1 Academy, where she currently competes under Prema Racing, is on break until the weekend of October 20th, Bustamante was able to have some days off from training to enjoy the racing community. Bustamante was able to meet some of her racing idols such as the 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who finished the weekend on the podium.
Putting her racing overalls and helmet in the backseat, she reflected on her racing journey as she attended the race. Bustamante shares, “All my life I’ve been working so hard to be in this space and to finally be in the F1 paddock and contribute so much to the sport was really exciting for me. Finally being in that environment as a guest/spectator was something I was most looking forward to!”
In this Vogue Philippines exclusive, read through to see the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix through the eyes of a racing athlete.
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1/25Touchdown here in Singapore, first order of business – Bah Kut Teh for breakfast
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2/25Straight to Clarke Quay for a Sim Race against Nicooo Huuuuulkenbergg 🙈 Hahaha do you guys get the reference ? From Danny Ric !!!
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3/25Aaaaaa first meeting with the Singapore GP fans 🥺🧡
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4/25After all that sim driving, it’sss time for good food!! In love with seafood <3
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5/25Omggg saw a Polo match for the first time !!! And that’s a wrap for Day 1 here in Singapore
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6/25Starting Day 2 with my morning makeup routine. Ya girl needs to look fab 💁🏽♀️
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7/25As an island girl, my best friend is 🥥 So stay hydrated besties!
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8/25Our good friends at Louboutin invited me over for a surprise !!
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9/25Supporting women in sports! Got to pick couple of new footwear for me to use off track hihi
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10/25Sooo cuteee🥺 thank you Louboutin Family for this!!
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11/25Day 3 and my favorite event!! Our community fan meet 🧡 got to hang and share stories from my season so far! Much love to y’all that listened in
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12/253 interviews in a row after the fan meet. Phew I’m starting to lose my voice hahaha 😪 but absolutely love the grind
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13/25Okay… so here it is. First time in the F1 Paddock 🥺 overwhelmed with the love I was given!! Warm welcome from one of the early pioneers for women in Motorsport, and racing driver icon David Coulthard
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14/25Sir Lewis Hamilton!!! An honor to have met one of the greatest drivers of all time, a true inspiration on track and off track. Speeeechless
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15/25McLaren F1 Car – MCL60 up close!!! Absolutely geeked out when I saw it. True beauty and beast of a machinery 🤩
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16/25Aaaa look Mama I made it!! :))
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17/25Amazing opportunity to spectate top notch crews practicing for their pit stop
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18/25Forza Ferrari!! Andiaaaamo!! A win for Carlos!! What a masterpiece from qualifying and strategy down to the last 3 laps of the race!
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19/25CarLando 1-2!! Our dream podium 🤩 Mega job to Team McLaren that was a top weekend
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20/25Oh to stand up there one day 🧡
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21/25Took my time with the fans! Gosh y’all really are the heart of the sport. Thank you so much for the love
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22/25Aaaandd that’s a wrap!! Filled with love, adrenaline and lots of firsts for me. Simply unforgettable!
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23/25See you next year SGP hopefully I’ll be on track rather than just spectating 😜
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24/25One last Bah Kut Teh before we head home huhu. Absolutely demolished it as well.
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25/25Bought a book for the flight! Plsss send me book recommendations on Instagram 😚 anyways peace out Singapore!
Bianca Bustamante
Bianca Bustamante is a Filipino racing driver who is a member of McLaren's Driver Development Programme. She has been involved in motorsport since she was 5 years old, and currently competes in the F1 Academy—an all-female single seater racing championship funded by Formula One. She won two races and finished seventh on the standings during the championship's inaugural season.