Female Calderon could get Friday seat at Sauber

  • Published on 09 May 2018 14:13
  • comments 6
  • By: Danny Sosef

Tatiana Calderon is not ruling out her chances of securing some Friday practice outings for Sauber. When the female Colombian driver was appointed as the Swiss team's 2018 test driver, boss Frederic Vasseur said the 25-year-old will not get Friday outings.

But the GP3 driver says her goal is to race in Formula One. "There are other categories of course, but the first thing is for me to try to be in formula one and I think I can," she told Spain's AS newspaper.

Asked what her actual F1 duties will be this season, Calderon answered: "I will go to several races with them, participate in technical meetings and do simulator work, and I'm preparing for them to put me in the car."

She is not sure when that will be or if it will involve actual Friday practice sessions. "I'm not here as a reserve driver yet, but last year I was a development driver and this year they want to continue to give me the opportunity and it's in the hand of the team to announce when I'm going to do it.

"My goal is to do very well in GP3 to give them more reasons," Calderon added. "It's true that in two or three years, if all goes well, I could be in F1."

She said being a woman is not a hurdle she gives too much thought to. "We have 30 per cent less muscle mass and it's more difficult, but right now because of the physical preparation I am doing, I don't notice it. I do many hours of training, for example in the 'torture machine' which works my neck.  In a year I've made it 9 centimetres wider," Calderon said. "Many times I've been told I can't do it because I'm a woman, but that just motivates me more."

Was it REALLY needed to say "female" Calderon? I mean c'mon guys. You wouldn't put Male Vettel gets seat.. would you?

  • 2
  • May 9 2018 - 15:06

Replies (6)

Login to reply
  • Was it REALLY needed to say "female" Calderon? I mean c'mon guys. You wouldn't put Male Vettel gets seat.. would you?

    • + 2
    • May 9 2018 - 15:06
    • xoya

      Posts: 583

      Agreed. It's just stupid.

      • + 0
      • May 9 2018 - 17:35
    • Except she's the only female driver in F1 right now and hardly anybody knows her name. I for one would like to see more women drivers in the sport, if their good enough to make the cut. Saying it that way piqued my interest and led me to read the article. There has been a lot stupider headlines on this site, many of which were just outright wrong.

      • + 0
      • May 9 2018 - 18:32
  • mbmwe36

    Posts: 533

    Of course it's needed to state she's a woman (that is if she identifies as such in this clown world) because there are practically no female drivers associated with F1. So there's a novelty factor there. Everybody doesn't know that "Calderon" is a woman.

    • + 0
    • May 9 2018 - 18:54
  • RogerF1

    Posts: 501

    I think Tatiana might have been the give away clue. Woeful reporting just like Vasseur’s proclamation. Of course she won’t get a drive or he would have to eat his words. Why should less muscle count? (1) women mostly have a lighter frame (2) neck muscle I can understand for g force but the rest? Brake by wire, power assist steer or even by wire, gear change with finger nails, probably won’t swear as much (maybe).

    • + 0
    • May 9 2018 - 20:27
  • I dont think its needed. If we are to have female drivers we should normalize it.
    Needless to say, I dont think they will give her an actual seat. Maybe an outing here and there at best, otherwise she'll likely get the Susie Wolff treatment.

    • + 0
    • May 9 2018 - 20:59

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Arden International
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country CO
  • Date of b. Mar 10 1993 (31)
  • Place of b. Bogota, CO
  • Weight 57 kg
  • Length 1.63 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar