McLaren’s F1 Academy driver publicly apologizes for liking offensive social media post targetting Lance Stroll

Bianca Bustamante is the first ever female driver under McLaren's driver development program.

McLaren’s F1 Academy driver publicly apologizes for liking offensive social media post targetting Lance Stroll

Bianca Bustamante and Lance Stroll (Via IMAGO)

Filipina racing driver, McLaren junior driver, Bianca Bustamante, was at the center of a social media storm after inadvertently liking a now-deleted tweet on X (formerly Twitter) that contained an ableist slur targeting Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll. Following the massive backlash, she quickly sought to clear the air and apologize for her actions. 

The offensive post, which also labeled Bustamante as ‘over-rated,’ gained widespread attention, sparking a social media backlash against the 18-year-old McLaren F1 Academy driver. The tweet in question not only criticized Stroll for his entry into Formula 1 but also used an offensive term related to autism, disrespecting both the driver and individuals with autism. 

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The incident unfolded on X and has since resulted in the removal of the offensive post. Following the social media uproar, Bustamante issued a public apology on her X account. In her heartfelt statement, she expressed deep regret, taking full responsibility for her mistake and explaining that she accidentally liked the inappropriate tweet while scrolling through her feed. 

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On her X handle, she wrote;

I truly deeply apologize. I own up to mistakes having liked an inappropriate tweet, I can't believe all the people whom I have hurt. I was scrolling and accidentally liked the tweet, once I discovered that later on, I immediately unliked it. As someone who grew up with my only brother having Autism, I completely understand the challenges faced by anyone with Autism. I would never in a million years support Ableism at any level, let alone support an Ableist tweet against a fellow driver.

[relatd_content] Discover: Guenther Steiner asks F1 nation to ‘be realistic’ over women’s entry into the sport [/relatd_content]

Bianca Bustamante cities her brother’s autism and shares a video supporting her stance

Stressing her staunch opposition to ableism, Bustamante used the opportunity to extend a direct apology to Lance Stroll and anyone offended by the incident. She added;

 I take the topic of Autism very seriously and very personally. To Lance Stroll and anyone that this has offended, I sincerely apologize as these types of comments are something I do not support. I hope the racing community understands this is 100% an accident, my sincerest apologies for this big mistake.
Bianca Bustamante
Bianca Bustamante (Via IMAGO)

To further underscore her sincerity and personal connection to the autism community, she shared a video featuring herself and her brother on both her X and Instagram accounts. Bustamante, who previously competed for Prema Racing in the F1 Academy, garnered success with two wins, four podiums, and one pole position, ultimately finishing seventh in the 2023 season. Her remarkable achievements paved the way for her historic signing as the first female driver in McLaren’s Formula One team’s driver development program.

This controversy has highlighted the challenges faced by athletes and public figures in navigating social media platforms. It underscores the importance of sensitivity, particularly regarding issues related to disabilities and neurodiversity. Despite the unfortunate incident, Bustamante’s significant achievements in the F1 Academy and her groundbreaking role as the first female driver in McLaren’s driver development program continue to shape her burgeoning career.

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