Tatiana Calderon becomes Sauber development driver

For a young driver, becoming a development driver for a Formula 1 team can provide access to the team’s infrastructure and a better understanding of its operations, in order to refine their driving skills. For the team, this can be a long-term investment or simply a significant source of revenue since these drivers are often generously supported by sponsors.

In the case of Tatiana Calderon, it is most certainly the second option. Indeed, the young Colombian had an anonymous first season in GP3, finishing a distant 21st in the overall standings.

On the other hand, she is indeed part of the Escuderia Telmex, the program established by the Mexican telecommunications group. It is well-known in the F1 paddock as the historic sponsor of Sergio Pérez and Esteban Gutiérrez.

Tatiana Calderon does not fail to thank the various parties that enabled her to get this position: “I would like to thank Monisha Kaltenborn and the whole team for giving me this opportunity as well as Escuderia Telmex for their support. I am grateful to be able to work with such an established Formula 1 team and benefit from their long experience. I look forward to working with the team as much as I can. It’s one step closer to my dream of being in Formula 1 one day!”

In the meantime, she will live through a second season in GP3, this time with the French team Dams. She will be alongside another development driver from a Formula 1 team, as Santino Ferrucci, a Haas protégé, has also been confirmed for a second campaign.

This is not the first time Sauber has taken a young woman under its wing, as it was the case with Simona de Silvestro in 2014. Unfortunately, the story did not have a future due to unpaid financial contributions to the team. After a stint in Formula E and 12 races between July 2015 and July 2016, the 28-year-old Swiss now races in the Australian Supercars Championship.

With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr