Colombia’s Tatiana Calderon heads into Rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the 2013 FIA Formula 3 European Championship confident that the Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi will play to her strengths (12-13 October).
A trying weekend at Circuit Park Zandvoort in The Netherlands (28-29 September) only heightened the Colombian lady racer’s determination to end her rookie F3 campaign on a high.
Calderon has spent more time on simulators and analysing data and on-board footage with her Double R Racing engineer, also intensifying her training regime to ensure she’s in the best possible shape for the F3 European Championship’s visit to Italy.
The Vallelunga circuit is situated approximately 30km North of Rome – the eternal city – and boasts a technically demanding 4.08km layout that incorporates a heady mix of slow to mid-speed corners.
This will be the F3 European Championship’s first foray on the Italian track and, while Calderon believes it will play to her strengths, she will benefit greatly from a full day of testing on Friday (11 October).
“I think we have a good starting point for Vallelunga, as I’ve prepared as much as possible,” said Calderon. “I’ve spent time in the sim, going over data and on-boards and have done some road biking and quite a lot of strength sessions, so I hope to feel better than ever when I arrive in Italy. Vallelunga seems like a technical circuit with a good mix of slow to mid-speed corners, which I really like. I’m sure it ill be an interesting and fun weekend but, because my Double R Racing team and I have never been there, I’m glad we have a full day of testing on Friday.
“I want to show in the last two rounds in Italy and Germany that I have improved this year and I will give 110 per cent. However, I know I still need to get better in some areas – I need to trust the downforce and find pace through fast corners – so that will be my main goal.”
Two FIA Formula 3 European Championship free practice sessions will be held at 9.40 and 10.15 on Saturday (12 October), with qualifying at 12.45 and 13.20 and Round 25 at 16.55 later that afternoon.
Rounds 26 and 27, meanwhile, will be held on Sunday (13 October) at 10.50 and 15.05 respectively.
For all the latest news and updates on Tatiana Calderon’s racing activities, please like her Facebook page or follow @TataCalde on Twitter.
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