Calderon says drivers 'obliged' to do F2 before F1

GP3 racer Tatiana Calderon believes that drivers are now "obliged" to do a stint in Formula 2 before making the move into F1. Most junior drivers come straight from Formula 2, however some made the jump from GP3 or Formula 3.

Next year, rookies such as Lando Norris and George Russell will arrive having competed in the F2 championship. Calderon, who drove an F1 car for the first time this week, confirmed recently that she was working on signing a deal in Formula 2.

And she says that drivers now need the F2 experience before making the jump to the pinnacle series: "If you want to go to Formula 1 you now are obliged to do Formula 2 as well,” the Colombian said.

“I’ve been always watching those races and to be honest they’re some of the best races, I would really like to have a go. I think it’s a car that could suit me with the pit stops. I’ve been struggling more with qualifying and I think in Formula 2 you have a chance maybe if you don’t do that well in quali so hopefully that would be the case.

“We’re still waiting and organising but I would love to do Formula 2," she continued. "To start testing after Abu Dhabi end of the season race would be amazing. We are putting everything together.  The budget depends with which team you go [to]. There is quite a lot but our intention is to really go for Formula 2.”

Replies (4)

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  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Racing is a great equaliser. Either you are fastest and you win or you are not and you don't win. Winning brings sponsorship and opportunity... Did she win anything?

    • + 0
    • Nov 4 2018 - 14:18
    • f1dave

      Posts: 782

      Her best result in GP3 is a sixth-place finish.

      • + 0
      • Nov 4 2018 - 16:51
    • Mr N71

      Posts: 31

      To be honest there are a lots of guys who did worse but still got a chance in both F2 and F1. She doesn't have to win, she doesn't have to be the best. She only have to beat half the grid and now she´s in the middle of the field of GP3. A guy like Ocon was not even close to that in the beginning. His success on the track come with sighing with Mercedes. There are more benefits that just sponsor money to sight with a powerful partner like Mercedes. The car suddenly goes faster and it opens up doors. Dont be that blind that you believe that the driver does that much difference. It's 70% the package (car and provider) If you get the right connection's they provide data to upgrade the gear that you are driving.

      • + 0
      • Nov 5 2018 - 00:37
  • LuXe

    Posts: 20

    apart from Danica's win at indy in japan in what, maybe 2008, there was no real female victories. I believe one girl won at AutoGP series like in 2015, but thats about it

    • + 0
    • Nov 4 2018 - 22:21

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