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.”