Racing star Tatiana Calderon joins AJ Foyt Racing for her first IndyCar season in 2022: the Colombian will drive the ROKiT-sponsored #11 Dallara-Chevrolet in all the road and street course races of the famous American open-wheel series.
It's now official - after Tatiana Calderon's IndyCar test in July, the Colombian will join AJ Foyt with ROKiT as main sponsor for a 2022 IndyCar schedule which includes all road and street courses in the #11 Dallara Chevrolet. There is no announcement yet regarding the driver competing in the five ovals races. AJ Foyt will enter three cars, while ROKiT will sponsor Tatiana's #11 and the #14 machine of rookie Kyle Kirkwood. Calderon will be the first ever female competing for AJ Foyt Racing.
"2022 INDYCAR DRIVER ! A dream come true to be back in the US - thanks to Jonathan Kendrick, ROKiT and AJ Foyt Racing for the opportunity! Can’t wait to Rokit!"
Last year, Calderon's main focus was a double program at the top of endurance racing – the FIA WEC with Sophia Flörsch and Beitske Visser in the all-female team Richard Mille Racing, as well as her Japanese campaign in Super Formula with ThreeBond Drago Corse. Having previously driven F1 machinery on a couple of occasions, Calderon is also currently Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team Development Driver in F1.
In July, she completed 87 laps on the 2.238-mile Mid-Ohio course with a best time of 1:08.9888 on black tires. Unlike her Dallara SF19 in Super Formula, the IndyCar Dallara has no power steering, which could make for a challenge – but Calderon has previously raced in the FIA Formula 2, which also doesn't feature a power steering system and will represent a very good preparation.
Tatiana Calderon was previously part of the Road to Indy program, as she raced in the IndyPro 2000 (formerly Pro Mazda Championship) in 2010 and 2011 for Juncos Racing, with two third places in 2011 to her name. She then moved to Europe where she extended her experience in F3, before becoming the first woman to reach the FIA F2 championship.
Now it's a new step up for Tatiana, as she joins the highest American open-wheel racing class and will race in one of the closest racing series worldwide. The last women racing in IndyCar - except the Indy500 - were Simona de Silvestro and Pippa Mann in 2015, with a six race campaign for both drivers. Danica Patrick is currently the most successful female driver in the series and Calderon's international experience could be her weapon to follow in her footsteps.
"I’m well aware of the challenge ahead, but this is the chance of a lifetime, and I’m keen on making the most of it.”
The first race of the season will take place on 27th February on the Streets of St. Petersburg, followed by 16 more races until 11th September at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the 2022 season finale.
