Sauber's Calderon still hoping for Friday outings in 2018

Sauber test driver Tatiana Calderon isn't giving up on her hopes of taking part in the odd Friday morning free practice session with the Swiss outfit this year.

After spending the 2017 season as Sauber's development driver, the 25-year-old Colombian and GP3 racer was promoted to test driver status earlier this year, and touted as the next possible female Formula 1 driver.

"There are other categories of course, but the first thing is for me to try to be in Formula 1 and I think I can," she told Spain's AS newspaper.

Calderon described her current role with Sauber: "I go to several races with them, participate in technical meetings and do simulator work, and I'm preparing for them to put me in the car."

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She is not sure when that will be or if it will involve actual Friday practice sessions.

"I'm not here as a reserve driver yet, but last year I was a development driver and this year they want to continue to give me the opportunity and it's in the hand of the team to announce when I'm going to do it," she added.

"My goal is to do very well in GP3 to give them more reasons. It's true that in two or three years, if all goes well, I could be in F1."

Tatiana says her gender, and the perceptions F1 typically associates with it, is not a hurdle she gives too much thought to. On the contrary, the challenge only makes her more eager to succeed.

"We have 30 per cent less muscle mass and it's more difficult, but right now because of the physical preparation I am doing, I don't notice it.

"I do many hours of training, for example in the 'torture machine' which works my neck. In a year I've made it 9 centimetres wider," Calderon said.

"Many times I've been told I can't do it because I'm a woman, but that just motivates me more."

Susie Wolff was the last woman to take part in an official F1 free practice session, enjoying several outings with Williams in 2015, while Italy's Lella Lombardi was the last female driver to race in Formula 1.

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