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Sauber test driver Tatiana Calderon says that she is "crossing her fingers" and would relish the chance to put herself up against Formula 1's regular drivers in 2019.
The Columbian has raced in GP3 for the past three seasons, and managed to get her first taste in a Formula 1 car in October when she raced the current Sauber C37 in Mexico city. This was done for a promotional event, and she said it was "more of a warm up" ahead of a test in an older spec car at Fiorano.
Calderon completed two days of running in a 2013-spec Sauber C32, away from the scrutiny of the media and her financial backers. After completing this, she said that she feels she is ready to measure herself against the current crop of Formula 1 drivers in either an official test or free practice session in 2019.
“I think they [Sauber] were quite curious,” Calderon told Autosport. “With all this pressure in Mexico, they needed to know what I can really do [at Fiorano].
“I think I showed I could be competitive in an F1 car. I drove alone, so it would be great to compare myself with their drivers and I hope I will get a chance.
“We’ll have to wait and see, but I’m crossing my fingers it will be like this. It’s good they gave me a chance and I responded well. One thing at a time, but when they see I can do well, they will probably want to test me in something a bit more difficult.”
Calderon did admit however that she had "doubts" over her abilities in the lead up to her official test, despite her extensive preparations, but she "surprised herself" with her performance.
She said: “In the end I think the team was a little bit more nervous than me when all these cameras showed up! They had never seen me drive – they only saw the results in GP3.
“The objective was just not to make any mistakes, I was giving myself a huge margin, but I started to get comfortable in the car and I wanted to push a little bit more.
“It was an incredible feeling to finally drive this [current] generation of car, and to show the team as well I can cope with some pressure. I also surprised myself.
“You always have doubts, physically, mentally – will I get used to the speed, to the brakes? It was a huge relief when I finished the day but I really enjoyed it.”
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Replies (4)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
A bit sad, isnt it? Looking at article after article with her expressing her optimism, knowing she will most likely just be another Susie Wolff.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
For me any team that thinks it a good idea to present an average driver is on a incorrect path. Sauber should be looking at improving speed not worrying about marketing-able camera shots.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yet its the camera shots that give them the money they need to get said speed. Sauber is still a small team, and need every penny they can scrap together.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I'm annoyed with Sauber. I don't blame Calderon for dreaming and hoping. But the reality is that she never deserve the seat she received. Not at least in terms of performance. He was average at best. Below average most of the time. I would love to see a woman kick ass in Formula 1, but this marketing exercises simply perpetuate old stereotypes about women drivers.