Tatiana Calderon led Double R Racing’s attack on the FIA Formula 3 European Championship in two of three races held at the Hockenheimring (3-5 May).
The Colombian lady racer is in her maiden Euro F3 season after stepping up from the Toyota Racing Series (TRS) in 2013 and continued on her steep learning curve in the championship – one of the world’s most competitive single-seater arenas – last weekend in Germany.
Qualifying at Hockenheim proved challenging for Euro F3 rookie Calderon and her two team-mates Antonio Giovinazzi and Sean Gelael.
From 29th on the grid, the Colombian racer progressed to 26th place in treacherously wet weather conditions during the first race of the weekend at the German venue.
Both of her Double R Racing team-mates came to grief in Rounds 8 and 9, but Calderon duly picked up the baton, staying out of trouble to receive the chequered flag as the Woking-based outfit’s best finisher in 26th and 23rd places respectively.
Having demonstrated that she has outright pace while battling alongside the likes of fellow Euro F3 rookies Jann Mardenborough and Nicholas Latifi in the TRS, Calderon is keen to make a name for herself on the European circuit
However, the 20-year old isn’t underestimating the scale of the challenge she faces. The Madrid-based racer is aware that she has now reached one of the most competitive rungs on the motorsport ladder, where some of the world’s most promising young talents battle it out for championship glory and, ultimately, a shot at Formula 1.
“What I have to keep in mind is that I have made a significant leap up to the F3 European Championship this season,” said Calderon. “The quality of the entire field is unbelievable and this is very much a learning year for me
“I am definitely making progress. Qualifying was challenging and the wet conditions during the first race didn’t help me, but I’m pleased how the weekend progressed on the whole.
She added: “We return to the UK for my Double R Racing team’s home race at Brands Hatch and I think we will continue improving. I feel more comfortable than ever in the car and expect good results.”
The FIA Formula 3 European Championship returns to UK shores for the second time in as many months for Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the season on the spectacular Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent (18-19 May).
To keep track of Tatiana’s racing activities, please like her Facebook page or follow @TataCalde on Twitter.
