Bianca Bustamante Joins Alex Palou's Team for 2026 Eurocup-3 Campaign

Former McLaren junior driver Bianca Bustamante is set to join Palou Motorsport for the 2026 Eurocup-3 season. The move pairs her with team founder Alex Palou, a four-time IndyCar champion who recently settled a high-profile legal dispute with McLaren. This collaboration marks a new chapter for both drivers as they continue their careers on paths forged outside of McLaren's umbrella.

Why it matters:

This partnership is more than just a driver signing; it's a symbolic union of two talents who had high-profile splits with the same F1 powerhouse. For Bustamante, it's a chance to reset after being the first female in McLaren's program. For Palou, it's another step in building his own motorsport legacy following a contentious contract battle that made headlines across the F1 and IndyCar worlds.

The details:

• Bustamante will compete in the 2026 Eurocup-3 season, a step up from her 2024 campaign in the GB3 championship where she finished 22nd in the standings.
• Team Structure: Palou Motorsport, founded by Alex Palou and his father Ramon in 2023, will benefit from technical support from the renowned Italian outfit Prema Racing.
  • Bustamante previously raced with Prema during the 2023 F1 Academy season, creating a familiar and advantageous environment for her return.
• Driver's Perspective: The 20-year-old expressed her excitement on social media, highlighting the honor of joining the "incredible squad" led by the Palous and reuniting with a trusted technical crew.
• The Palou-McLaren Saga: The team founder's own history with McLaren adds a layer of intrigue. Palou reneged on a deal to join McLaren's IndyCar team, leading to a lawsuit where McLaren sought $19.5 million in damages for his breach of contract.

What's next:

The 2026 season will be a critical platform for both parties. Bustamante will aim to prove her pace in a faster car and leverage the experienced team around her to climb the motorsport ladder. For Palou, this venture expands his influence into European feeder series, further establishing his brand beyond his IndyCar dominance. Both will be looking to this collaboration as a springboard for future success.