Source – NewsWeek
Williams has said that, in advance of the F1 2025 season, 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has rejoined the team as an ambassador.
Tatiana Calderón is set to make her mark once again in the world of Formula E as she gears up for a rookie practice session with Lola Yamaha ABT in Jeddah. This announcement not only signals an exciting return to single-seaters for the Colombian racer but also represents a crucial opportunity for the newly revived Lola team as they continue their fight to establish themselves in the all-electric championship.
Calderón is no stranger to Formula E machinery. She first tested in the series back in 2018 with DS E-Tense FE19 during the first in-season test event in Saudi Arabia, before returning the following year for another rookie session. More recently, she took part in Formula E’s all-female test event in Madrid, partnering with Carrie Schreiner at Maserati. Her extensive experience across multiple racing disciplines, including IMSA, WEC, IndyCar, GP3, and Formula 2, makes her one of the most versatile drivers in the field. In addition, she served as a development and test driver for the Sauber F1 team between 2018 and 2021, further cementing her credentials as a high-caliber talent.
As she prepares to take the wheel for Lola in Jeddah, Calderón brings with her a wealth of experience that could prove invaluable for a team still finding its footing in Formula E. Lola, a historic name in motorsport, has embarked on an ambitious comeback after its unsuccessful Formula 1 bid in the late 1990s. Under the leadership of Chairman Till Bechtolsheimer, the team has partnered with Yamaha to enter Formula E, but results have been hard to come by so far. With two races under their belt and no points to show for it, the upcoming rounds in Jeddah will be crucial in assessing their progress.
Despite the team’s struggles, Calderón remains optimistic about the project and sees the rookie practice session as a valuable chance to contribute to Lola’s development. “I’m very excited to join the Lola Yamaha ABT Team for the Rookie Free Practice in Jeddah, which I feel is a great opportunity provided by Formula E for drivers who are new to the series,” she said. “I’ve been impressed with the progress this new team has made so far and that is a testament to the quality of the people behind it.”
She highlighted the strong team spirit within Lola and praised their collective effort in building a competitive package. “There’s a great atmosphere with everyone pushing in the same direction, something I’ve felt when I’ve been preparing in the simulator. I‘m very grateful to the whole team for this opportunity and can’t wait to hit the track in Jeddah to help them gain some valuable data in preparation for the first double-header of the season.”
Mark Preston, Motorsport Director at Lola Cars, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of Calderón’s experience in helping the team refine their approach. “We are pleased to welcome Tatiana to the team in Jeddah. Her talent and experience, combined with her previous testing in Formula E with both the GEN2 and the GEN3 Evo, are the ideal combination for a new team and manufacturer as we continue to develop our package.”
For Calderón, this opportunity represents yet another milestone in a career filled with historic achievements. From being the first woman to win national karting championships in both Colombia and the United States to becoming the first female driver to stand on a British Formula 3 podium, she has consistently broken barriers in motorsport. More recently, she competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona with Gradient Racing, partnering with Bechtolsheimer, though the race ended in disappointment as she failed to finish.
Now, all eyes turn to Jeddah, where Calderón will take to the track in an official Formula E session once again. For Lola, her presence could provide the technical insights needed to turn their season around, while for Calderón, it is another chance to showcase her ability in one of the most demanding single-seater championships in the world. With anticipation building, the stage is set for an electrifying weekend in Saudi Arabia.
