Bianca Bustamante in action during race 1 of F1 Academy 2024 round 2 in Miami, US. Screengrab from F1 Academy/YouTube

MANILA — Bianca Bustamante fell to the bottom of the grid due to a starting error that spoiled her P4 qualifying result for race 1 in the second round of F1 Academy 2024 in Miami, Florida in the US. 

The McLaren development driver stalled after the lights went out to drop to P16, more than 9 seconds behind race leader Abbi Pulling. 

READ: Bianca Bustamante gears up for F1 Academy 2024

Bustamante pulled out all the tricks in the 13-lap Miami track, until she reached the points territory on lap 6.

A tight, side-by-side battle for P9 against MP Motorsport’s Amna Al Qubaisi saw Bustamante grappling for dominance as they exchanged positions back-and-forth on the eighth and ninth laps. The Filipina racer eventually clinched the position. 

McLaren development driver Bianca Bustamante (L) side-by-side with RB-supported driver Amna Al Qubaisi (R) during lap 9 in race 1 of the Miami round of F1 Academy 2024. Screengrab from F1 Academy/YouTube

However, her attempts to gain more points were lost to a 5-second penalty for cutting a chicane to gain advantage. 

Bianca Bustamante cutting a chicane on the Miami track that got her a 5-second penalty during race 1 of round 2 of F1 Academy 2024. Screengrab from F1 Academy/YouTube

This meant that her P7 finishing position was downgraded to P9 post-penalties.

Fortunately, her recovery drive from last position to the point-yielding field achieved the fastest lap time for an additional point. 

She earned 3 points this race. This placed her seventh in the driver standings with 21 points so far. 

READ: F1 Academy: Bianca Bustamante ranks 4th in drivers standings after round 1

Alpine-sponsored Pulling, who started on pole, won this race. She also leads the championship campaign with 71 points. 

Bustamante will start from P2 for Race 2 of the Miami round. 

READ: Bianca Bustamante to race with McLaren in F1 Academy 2024