Tatiana Calderón: “I want to give back something to the sport”

Tatiana Calderón, Colombian race car driver, is completing her third season in GP3 Series with Jenzer Motorsport. We talked to Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team’s development driver about her season, Formula One and women in motorsport. 

Tatiana Calderón competed with DAMS Racing in 2017 and finished the GP3 Series season on 18th place with 7 points. After the French team announced their exit from the series Tatiana had to look for other options “I tested with Jenzer in Abu Dhabi”, started about her new team. “I could not stay for DAMS because they left, but to be honest I am quite happy with where I am now. The team is working very hard and they listen to the drivers which is very good.”

The Colombian driver did not have an easy first part of the season. “We have not had the results with the team which we think could achieve. There is still a lot from the season and hopefully we can put everything together and fight for points now on.” Unfortunately, Tatiana had an unlucky period and could not score any points in the first four rounds of the season. “We have not really had the pace during qualifying sessions so we had to fight hard for the points. Unluckily out of eight races I could not finished on four because somebody took me out of the race or different accidents happen. We have to find a bit on qualifying but I think we can do that hopefully sooner than later”, summarized her season so far.

From Silverstone on luck seems to arrive to Tatiana. She felt optimistic about the Hungarian round. “We discovered some important things with the set up on the car. From Silverstone it seems we are going into the right direction.” After positive free practice and qualifying Tatiana finished the sprint race on 8th position. Scoring one point this result puts her on 17th position of the championship.

Since last year Tatiana is development driver of Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team. “Of course it is a privilege for me,” started about her work with Sauber. “I am very grateful for the opportunity that Sauber gives me and to Telmex for supporting me.” Tatiana appears on many F1 races where she observes to learn and become an even better driver. “I go to quite a lot of races with Sauber this year to keep going to all the engineering briefings and get to know a little bit more about what they expect from you in Formula One because that is where I want to be one day.” Besides this, Tatiana also helps to develop the team’s Formula One car. “I keep doing the simulator work and getting ready for my time when it comes. My focus is GP3, I need to push hard there to open up the opportunity to drive the Formula One car hopefully even this year.”

Besides Formula One and GP3 Series Tatiana also does a lot of work with organizations supporting women in motorsport. “I am very honored to be an ambassador of Dare to be Different and FIA Women in Motorsport. I want to give back something to the sport that I love.” For some time, Tatiana is the only woman driver in GP3 Series and closest to step up to Formula One one day. “I would love to make people aware particularly women that there is an opportunity for us in this sport and that we can be really successful. It is all about opening up the doors for the next generations.” Tatiana also shared some details about FIA Women in Motorsport’s new initiative which she actively takes part in. “It is called Girls On Track. In eight countries they organize a karting slalom competition which from we will choose the three best of each country and make a grand final to make also girls from 13 to 18 to be aware and try karting cause you don’t know if you like it unless you try it. I am happy to be part of it and promote motorsport everywhere.”