Colombian racing driver Tatiana Calderon became the first Latin American woman to drive a Formula 1 car in an official capacity when she took part in a promotional event for the Sauber team in Mexico on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old GP3 racer was appointed official test driver for the Ferrari-powered Swiss team last March after a year in a development role but on Tuesday she had her first opportunity to drive the 2018 car.
“I can’t describe the sensation of being in the car, I don’t want to go back to my GP3 car,” she said afterwards. "Driving the Sauber C37 was an incredible experience."
"The power, braking and grip of this car are unbelievable, and I felt very comfortable on track. After a few laps, you start getting used to the speed, and I had lots of fun."
Teams are allowed to do a maximum of 100km — equivalent to 23 laps of the Mexican Grand Prix circuit — on such filming days.
“Since I started racing, my dream and goal has been to drive at the highest level one day,” she had said when it was announced she would drive the C37 car at the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit.
“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.”
Sauber's Head of Track Engineering Xevi Pujolar, who oversaw the programme on the day
“Tatiana drove a Formula One car for the first time today and did a very good job. We are happy to see her perform so well, and once again were impressed by her dedication and work ethic. This event marks a positive step for our sport, and we look forward to seeing Tatiana continue to make progress.”
“Tatiana drove a Formula One car for the first time today and did a very good job. We are happy to see her perform so well, and once again were impressed by her dedication and work ethic. This event marks a positive step for our sport, and we look forward to seeing Tatiana continue to make progress.”
Calderon, who is backed by the team’s Mexican sponsor Telmex, was the first woman to drive a current Formula One car since Britain’s Susie Wolff, who retired in 2015 after taking part in two grand prix practice sessions for Williams.
She added, "I want to thank the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team, Excuderia Telmex, Telcel, Infinitum and Claro for giving me this opportunity today, and trusting me to do the job. This is a day I will remember forever."
The Colombian is hoping to compete in Formula 2 next season. Formula 1 has not had a woman driver start a grand prix since Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976.
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