McLaren driver apologises after liking offensive Stroll tweet
McLaren driver apologises after liking offensive Stroll tweet
A young McLaren driver has delivered a public apology after liking a Tweet that negatively targeted Aston Martin's Lance Stroll.
Bianca Bustamante caused a storm on social media before her apology which was also followed with a short video alongside her brother.
Bustamante was the first female driver for an F1 team to be signed up for the 2024 F1 Academy season, having joined McLaren's development programme only two months ago.
Having previously raced in the now defunct W Series, the 18-year-old finished seventh in the first season of the F1 Academy this term.
Bustamante was caught liking a post with a screenshot of her being called overrated and captioned with an offensive ableist remark against Stroll.
Bustamante apology
After the post was removed a few hours later following a social media backlash, the Filipina driver issued her apology.
"I truly deeply apologise. I own up to mistakes having liked an inappropriate tweet, I can't believe all the people whom I have hurt," she wrote.
"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.
"I take the topic of Autism very seriously and very personal.
"To Lance Stroll and anyone that this has offended, I sincerely apologize as these types of comments is something I do not support.
"I hope the racing community understands this is 100% an accident, my sincerest apologies for this big mistake."
The McLaren driver then shared a video of her alongside her brother.
I rarely share so much about my personal life. But if there’s one thing that kept me going, it was my brother...
— Bianca Bustamante (@racerbia) December 27, 2023
And truly I’m sorry to the whole Autism community. pic.twitter.com/s3gwnnTgym
— Bianca Bustamante (@racerbia) December 27, 2023
READ MORE: VOTE: Who was the most improved team in 2023?
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Horner outlines Ricciardo target to save F1 dream as major Newey announcement made - GPFans F1 Recap
- 3 hours ago
Mercedes reveal shock RED livery to celebrate historic milestone
- Yesterday 22:57
Ricciardo makes five-race admission in bid to survive F1 axe
- Yesterday 21:57
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
- Yesterday 20:57
Red Bull announce strong statement over Newey departure claims
- Yesterday 19:57
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
- Yesterday 18:57
Related news
F1 star has 'no interest' in continuing TROUBLED F1 career
F1 star reveals SPLIT with key team ally just moments after heroic act
F1 star confirms END of key relationship
F1 star needs 'RESET' after massive crash
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860