Tatiana Calderon could become F1's first woman driver in 42 years after Colombian is named as Sauber test driver
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Loading... - Nuria Ramos
- 06 Mar 2021
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Tatiana Calderon could become the first female to compete in an Formula 1 race for the first time in 42 years.
Colombian Calderon has been promoted from Development Driver to Test Driver at Alfa Romeo Sauber ahead of the 2018 season.
The 24-year-old will complete simulation sessions and travel with the Swiss based team to Grand Prixs this year - which could mean driving in practice sessions on the occasional weekend.
If main Sauber drivers Marcus Ericsson or Charles Leclerc were to be unavailable for a race, Calderon could be in line to step in, with Antonio Giovinazzi, who stood in for Pascal Wehrlein last year, also staying with the team.
The last woman to enter an F1 race was Giovanna Amati for Brabham in 1992 but she failed to qualify, before her Lella Lombardi took to the grid in 17 races between 1974 and 1976 and won 0.5 points.
More recently, Susie Wolff took to the track in a Williams during practice for the 2014 Silverstone GP to end 22 years without a female driver in the sport.
“I am very pleased to confirm my role as Test Driver for the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team in the 2018 season," Calderon said.
"This collaboration will build upon the experience that I have gained as Development Driver with the team over the past year, and I look forward to continuing on this positive path together.
"I have been able to substantially expand and develop my skills as a race driver, and I am convinced that I will be doing so throughout this year.
"I would like to thank the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team for this marvelous opportunity, which would not have been possible without the long-term support that I am receiving from Escuderia Telmex.
"I look forward to this season, and will give my all to demonstrate my capabilities in both GP3 and Formula 1.”
Calderon came 18th in last season's GP3 series for the DAMS team, with her best competition finish coming in MRF Challenge Formula 2000 in 2016.
