Few drivers make it to Formula 1, but their odds of doing so skyrocket by being affiliated with an F1 team’s junior driver programme. This series explores the performances of driver academy members in 2023. Today’s spotlight: the McLaren Driver Development Programme.

By Laura Anequini

McLaren brought F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris through the junior single-seater ladder years ago under the McLaren Young Driver Programme. In April 2023, the team launched the rebranded McLaren Driver Development Programme, which is geared towards not only the F1 team but also McLaren’s IndyCar and Formula E squads.

McLaren’s programme differs from other teams’ junior academies by having drivers across all racing ranks. Those currently in the programme are Ugo Ugochukwu, Gabriel Bortoleto, Bianca Bustamante, Ryō Hirakawa and Pato O’Ward. Additionally, Brando Badoer, who raced in Italian F4 this year, signed a one-year deal with the team as an optioned driver and could officially join the programme in the coming years.

Check out the e-book below to read all seven of the 2023 F1 driver academy reviews!

Ryō Hirakawa (Super Formula, P5)

Driving for Team Impul, Hirakawa, who also competes in WEC for Toyota Gazoo Racing, faced some challenges in Super Formula this year. The 29-year-old driver finished the season fifth in the standings with 58 points, but despite his strong race pace, he was held back by Impul’s struggles in qualifying.

After nine years in Super Formula, Hirakawa will bid farewell to the Japanese single-seater championship. Now part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, Hirakawa is set to continue in WEC while also assuming the McLaren F1 reserve driver role for the coming year.

Gabriel Bortoleto (F3, P1)

Bortoleto’s season caught many by surprise. Having finished sixth in FRECA last year, Bortoleto was the first F3 driver to be confirmed for the 2023 season. The Brazilian showed from the start that he was a contender for the title, winning the first feature race of the year in Bahrain and doing so again from pole position at the next round in Australia.

Although he did not take any more race wins, Bortoleto had four podiums and 10 consecutive points finishes and entered the final round in Monza with 38 points in hand over Paul Aron and 39 over Pepe Martí, who were second and third respectively in the championship. After neither of his rivals took pole position, Bortoleto secured the title in qualifying, becoming the first Brazilian champion in modern FIA F3.

Already a part of the A14 Management programme overseen by two-time F1 champion and former McLaren driver Fernando Alonso, Bortoleto was announced as a new McLaren junior in October. He will join Virtuosi Racing for next year’s F2 season and has already left an impression on the grid by topping the afternoon session on the second day of post-season testing.

Ugo Ugochukwu (Euro 4, P1; Italian F4, P2; F4 UAE, P3)

A member of the McLaren programme since 2021, Ugochukwu had a busy 2023 season. The American driver started the year in F4 UAE with Prema, finishing in third place. Following that, Ugochukwu went straight to Italian F4, and his results were no less impressive.

Building on his experience from contesting two rounds in the previous season, the 16-year-old quickly asserted himself as a title contender. With a tally of three wins and a championship-high 13 total podiums, Ugochukwu finished the championship as the runner-up, 35 points behind champion Kacper Sztuka.

Ugochukwu also won the inaugural Euro 4 season by 24 points after overturning a points deficit in the season finale at Barcelona. After finishing fourth in the first race, he ended up second in the second race after a brave move around the outside of Prema teammate Tuukka Taponen into the long right-hander at turn three. Ugochukwu was two points behind race two winner Wharton, though, at this stage, but he won race three from pole to secure the title.

Ugochukwu then joined Trident for the  F3 Macau Grand Prix. He qualified as the team’s lead car in eighth, but a crash in the qualifying race put him at the back for the main race, which he finished 15th. He will move up to FRECA with Prema next season.

Bianca Bustamante (F1 Academy, P7; F4 UAE, P27; Italian F4, P44; USF Juniors, P17)

One of the newest additions to the team, Bustamante is the first female driver in the papaya team’s junior programme. Having raced in W Series last year, Bustamante made her F4 UAE debut this year with Prema, finishing in the top 10 twice. She also competed with Prema in the first season of F1 Academy and ended the year seventh in the standings with two wins and two podiums. Her results helped the Italian outfit to the teams’ title by eight points over MP Motorsport.

In addition, Bustamante competed for Exclusive Autosport in the last three USF Juniors races this year. She also made her debut in the F4 SEA invitational round at the Macau Grand Prix, in which she finished ninth in the qualifying race before retiring from the main race because of opening-lap contact.

For next season, Bustamante will represent McLaren in F1 Academy while driving for ART Grand Prix.

Header photo credit: McLaren Racing