Vasseur: Calderón will be driving our car

NewsDesk 1 min read

Sauber reserve driver Tatian Calderon will drive a Formula 1 for the first time when she takes the Swiss team’s current car for a spin during a promo event after this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.

Calderón, 25, will drive this year’s Ferrari powered C37 during a filming day at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Tuesday. The plan is for her to complete 100 kilometres – or 23 lap – on the day as part of a sponsor event for Escudería Telmex, Telcel, Infinitum and Claro.

Sauber team chief Frédéric Vasseur confirmed, “We are pleased to announce that Tatiana Calderón will be driving our car. Over the past two years of our collaboration, Tatiana has proved to be a valuable part of our team by continuously showing her dedication to our project, as well as a very strong work ethic and enthusiasm for our sport.”

This will be Calderon’s first time in a Formula 1 car, “I am very thankful and excited about the opportunity given to me. It will be an incredible experience.”

“As a Latin American driver, there could not be a more special place for me to make my debut behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time in my career.”

Carlos Slim, chairman of Telcel’s parent company América Móvil, added, “We are very proud to be part of Tatiana’s project. Her career has been built with talent, effort, sacrifice and dedication which is widely reflected in her results that have made her the first Latin American woman to be part of a Formula One team with the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team.

“This allows her to achieve a new goal representing an important step in her career and pride for all race fans in Colombia and Latin America, particularly for women and racing in general,” added Slim

Kimi Raikkonen will join Sauber for 2019 alongside Antonio Giovinazzi, with current driver Marcus Ericsson remaining as the team’s third driver.