Bianca Bustamante will step up to European single-seater competition in 2026 after confirming a move to Palou Motorsport, where she will contest both the Eurocup-3 Winter Series and the full Eurocup-3 Championship Series.
The programme marks a significant progression in Bustamante’s long-term development pathway towards FIA Formula 3 and, ultimately, Formula 1. She will compete in the all-new Dallara 326, powered by a Toyota 1.6-litre turbo engine supplied by TOM’S, as Eurocup-3 enters a new technical era in 2026.
Eurocup-3 has quickly established itself as a key European development category since its launch in 2023, offering young drivers the opportunity to gain experience on major circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps, Monza and Barcelona-Catalunya. The series places a strong emphasis on driver development, cost control and technical relevance within the FIA single-seater ladder.
While the move represents a step into a new championship and unfamiliar machinery, Bustamante will benefit from a degree of continuity within the Palou Motorsport structure. The team, founded in 2023 by four-time IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou and his father Ramon Palou, has recently announced a technical partnership with PREMA Racing.
PREMA Racing previously worked with Bustamante during her 2023 campaign in F1 Academy, where she secured two race victories. Through the Palou–PREMA collaboration, Bustamante will have access to advanced engineering support, simulator programmes and technical resources as she transitions into European competition.
The move follows a key development year in the GB3 Championship in 2025, with Eurocup-3 providing increased mileage on international circuits and exposure to a highly competitive, mixed-nationality grid.
Bustamante will make her Eurocup-3 debut at the opening round of the 2026 Winter Series on February 20–22 at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. The Winter Series will continue at Circuito del Jarama in Spain from February 27 to March 1, before concluding at MotorLand Aragón on March 13–15.
The main Eurocup-3 Championship Series will begin in early May at Circuit Paul Ricard, with the full calendar spanning events in Portugal, Italy, the United Kingdom, Hungary and Spain.
Bustamante has described the move as an exciting and well-timed step, highlighting the importance of familiarity within the team environment as she adapts to a new car and championship. She has indicated that her focus for 2026 will be on maximising learning opportunities, continuing her technical and racecraft development, and delivering competitive results to strengthen her position on the FIA single-seater ladder.
Palou Motorsport team principal Ramon Palou said the team is confident in Bustamante’s ability to adapt quickly, citing her experience in junior single-seaters, strong work ethic and capacity to learn as key strengths ahead of the season.
From a Racing-X perspective, Bustamante’s move to Eurocup-3 represents a logical and strategically sound progression. With competitive machinery, established technical backing and a calendar featuring Europe’s most demanding circuits, the 2026 season will be a critical benchmark in assessing her readiness for the next level of international single-seater competition.
