Latest news with #BiancaBustamante
The Review Geek
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
F1: The Academy Season 1 Review – The next generation of female racers?
Season 1 Episode Guide No Friends On Track The One to Beat No More Mrs. Nice Guy Target On My Back Feel The Heat The Hardest Race Of My Life End of the Road F1: The Academy is Netflix's latest docu-series, taking inspiration from Drive to Survive but instead shining a spotlight on the trailblazing women in motorsport. With Formula 1 such a fiercely competitive environment, F1: The Academy is an intriguing addition, clearly aimed at boosting female interest and participation in racing, with the overall aim being to get women on the starting grid in Formula 1. Fronted by Director Susie Wolff, this seven-part series aims to get more eyeballs on the women at the front of the pack — and what better platform to do that than the world's biggest streaming service. The show follows the 2024 race season's ups and downs, shining a light on various racers and their unique stories. Of the group, the standout is undoubtedly Abbi Pulling, whose performances and on-track composure suggest a bright future in the sport. Other drivers featured are more of a mixed bag, including Bianca Bustamante. She's given a significant amount of screen time across the season, and it's hard to tell whether that's because she makes compelling TV — courtesy of several crashes, missing the grid box by a country mile, and stalling the car — or if it's due to the massive media push surrounding her. With over 1.5 million followers, she certainly has the visibility, but her mid-table finish doesn't quite match the narrative. Despite that, The Academy does a solid job of highlighting actual racing talent, with an important caveat: every driver uses the exact same machinery. Given that Formula 1 performance often comes down to funding and car development, this level playing field helps focus on pure skill — and that's a refreshing change. It's worth tempering your expectations though, because the season is filled with mistakes, wobbles, and mental stumbles — but that's part of the appeal. It's about the process: how these women handle high-pressure environments, setbacks, and expectations. The cars themselves are comparable to Formula 4 in terms of performance, so while the racing is fast, it's not quite F1 levels of intensity. If this show proves anything, it's that the road to Formula 1 is paved with blood, sweat, tears — and more than a few missed opportunities. Each episode focuses on different drivers, weaving in the usual Drive to Survive elements: slow-mo race footage, manufactured rivalries, and high-stakes editing. It's a formula that still works, but the real strength here lies in the behind-the-scenes material. These quieter moments off the track are where the series finds its soul. We learn about the drivers' backgrounds, motivations, and the challenges they've overcome. One episode highlights Bianca Bustamante's relationship with social media — though it noticeably avoids addressing some of the controversy surrounding her, including past dishonesty about being homeless, which feels like a missed opportunity for more transparency. The final episode neatly wraps things up with the last race of the season, offering a satisfying conclusion while teasing the possibility of future seasons to follow. It also answers the big question: which, if any, of these drivers make it to the next stage of their journey? In the end, F1: The Academy is clearly designed as a gateway — a platform to inspire the next generation of female racers and show that motorsport isn't just a man's game. In that respect, it succeeds. While not perfect, it's an important and engaging watch that brings much-needed visibility to a side of the sport too often overlooked.
Tatler Asia
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Tatler Asia
Where to do cold plunges in Manila
Prime Studios + Recovery This physical fitness centre is situated in Commercenter, Alabang, making it the perfect place to visit for those who live in the South. The studio also offers jiujitsu, Muay Thai, boxing and MMA, which make this cooldown even more worthwhile. Renū Philippines Renū Philippines was initially started by a group of friends interested in exploring the wellness space. Since then, they have evolved into a team staging ice baths at venues such as Kerry Sports Manila and Enclave Alabang—their social media platforms show where their next event will be. They often team up with Optima Wellness, which allows you to build your own ice bath at home, if you're ready to commit to cold plunges more often. More from Tatler: 5 go-karting facilities in and around Metro Manila Open Mat This Vinyasa yoga and Brazilian jiu jitsu studio welcomes sports enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to seasoned athletes. Located in the heart of Makati, Open Mat also offers cold plunges, with water between 3 and 8 degrees Celsius. Vida Yoga To complement their hot yoga classes, Vida Yoga offers cold plunges that enhance the recovery process and offer refreshment to athletes. In between, they offer breathwork to mentally prepare each person for the experience, leaving one feeling rejuvenated for future workouts. Vida Yoga has branches in Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Alabang, making them accessible from different points of the Metro. NOW READ Discover the watches worn and loved by your favourite NBA stars Bianca Bustamante's GB3 debut marks a turning point—for her future in motorsport, and for women in it How stem cell therapy is changing healthcare in the Philippines, according to Dr Ronald Rigor
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
?Bianca Bustamante attends UK premiere of Netflix series 'F1: The Academy'
Bianca Bustamante, one of the featured racers in Netflix's new show 'F1: The Academy,' graced the series' premiere night at Leicester Square in London. In an. Instagram Stories post, the lone Filipina racer in the F1 Academy gave a special message to her fellow Pinoys during the premiere night. 'To everyone watching, obviously to everyone back home in the Philippines, this honestly means the whole world to my countrymen,' Bianca said. 'Maraming salamat sa mga sumusuporta at sa suporta pa, sana magustuhan niyo 'to, at para sa bayan,' she added. Produced by Reese Witherspoon's media company Hello Sunshine, 'F1: The Academy' is a seven-part docuseries on Netflix that follows female drivers as they go racing across the 2024 F1 Academy season. It's set to air this Wednesday. In April, Bianca was listed among Forbes' 30 under 30 Europe list for 2025. She was recognized as the first female driver signed to the McLaren Driver Development Program in 2023 as part of F1 Academy. In May 2023, Bianca achieved her first career win in Spain, followed by another win in Monza in July of the same year. In July 2024, Bianca fronted the cover of Vogue Philippines alongside Hidilyn Diaz. — Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News
