RIYADH: The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team has announced its full driver lineup for the women’s test, as part of pre-season testing for the 2024-2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Bianca Bustamante has been involved in racing since the age of five, winning several karting championships in Asia. So far in her single-seater career, Bustamante has competed in W Series, Formula 4 UAE Championship, Italian Formula 4, USF Juniors and most recently F1 Academy. In October 2023, it was announced Bustamante would join the McLaren driver development program, representing the team in the 2024 F1 Academy season with ART Grand Prix.
Ella Lloyd began racing competitively in 2022 in the Ginetta Junior Championship before competing in in the Ginetta GT Championship the following year, finishing as vice-champion.
At the beginning of 2024, Lloyd competed in the Formula Winter Series, securing the female driver trophy several times. She competed in British F4, completing the 2024 season with three P2 results, one P3 and numerous points finishes. She has now joined the McLaren driver development programme and will represent the team in the 2025 F1 Academy season with Rodin Motorsport.
The 2024 women’s pre-season test aims to provide women an opportunity to gain experience in the new GEN3 Evo car, while building their motorsport development.
The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team will be in action at the pre-season testing in Valencia, Spain from Nov. 4-7, before the season starts at the Sao Paulo E-Prix on Dec. 7.
Bustamante said: “I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a GEN3 Evo car with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team next month in Valencia. I’ve already been honing my skills in the simulator and working with the team so I can extract the most from this opportunity as I can. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Lloyd said: “I’m really excited to be part of the women’s test with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. This opportunity will allow me to gain valuable experience in Formula E GEN3 Evo machinery and continue to develop my skills as a racing driver. I can’t wait to get going.”
Ian James, team principal and managing director of NEOM McLaren Electric Racing, said he was excited to work with the two new additions to the team.
“Both drivers have had a smooth integration into the team and have already been developing their skills in the simulator as part of their preparation,” he said.
“I’m glad we can provide Bianca and Ella with a platform to demonstrate their ability and build new career opportunities as part of the championship’s commitment to develop their experience in motorsport. I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on in Valencia next month.”
