Tatiana Calderón has travelled all around the world with one goal in mind: Find success in motorsports.
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Calderón’s career has seen her tackle various forms of racing such as the IndyCar Series, Formula 2 and endurance events like the Rolex 24 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For 2026, Calderón is back in South America, this time as a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Brasil Series.
A strong rookie NASCAR Brasil season culminated on Sept. 20 with one of Calderón’s most significant accomplishments. After she finished fourth overall in the first race of a same-day doubleheader at Oval de Curvelo, Calderón scored a victory in the second feature, becoming the first woman to win in NASCAR Brasil history.
Calderón experienced a plethora of emotions on the podium post-race, as the journey to reach that milestone was equal parts arduous and rewarding. Now that she’s the first female NASCAR Brasil winner, Calderón hopes to serve as inspiration for other women seeking to excel in racing.
“It was a big moment,” Calderon said. “I started racing in NASCAR Brasil this year, so every track, the car and the language is all new for me. To be able to show a woman can be competitive at such a high level is incredible, and I’m extremely thankful to [my team] SG28 [Racing]. This project is about giving women opportunities to really shine.
“I hope this means we can open different doors to keep shining and proving that women deserve a chance in this sport.”
Calderón’s passion for sport and competition has been with her since childhood, but the idea of becoming a racer initially did not cross her mind.
That changed when Calderón’s older sister Paula brought her to a go-kart track for the first time when she was 9. Calderón became enamored with the intense and frenetic nature of go-kart racing, convincing her to find an avenue into motorsports.
Colombia is home to just one major circuit in Autódromo de Tocancipá. Yet the country is also home to Juan Pablo Montoya, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, which made him a perfect role model.
When Montoya made the move to Formula 1 in 2001, Calderón was convinced to follow a similar path. This required a difficult decision to move, but Calderón was ready for the challenges ahead. She had Paula, who now serves as her manager, by her side.
The Star Mazda Championship in the early 2010a served as Calderón’s first steppingstone toward Formula 1. As the years progressed, she earned opportunities in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and the FIA GP3 Series. She even won her first open-wheel race at Sebring International Raceway in 2014 as part of the Florida Winter Series.
Everything Calderón did got her one step closer to Formula 1. In 2018, Sauber Motorsport, which was later rebranded to Alfa Romeo Racing, signed Calderón as its test driver, allowing her to become the first Latin American woman to pilot a Formula 1 car following a promotional drive that same year at Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Calderón departed Alfa Romeo in 2021 without making any official Formula 1 starts, but her reputation as a determined, consistent driver drew plenty of interest from teams around the world. Among them was another Indianapolis 500 winner in A.J. Foyt, who signed Calderón to drive for his IndyCar Series program in 2022 at all the road courses.
That opportunity lasted seven races; Calderón was let go from A.J. Foyt Racing following a sudden loss in funding. Not long after, Calderón obtained a lifeline from an unexpected source: international superstar and fellow Colombian Karol G.
“I found myself with no drive and no sponsors,” Calderón said. “[Karol G] found out, and she started following me on Instagram. I knew very well who she was, and was always a very big fan of her’s. I wrote her a direct message, and she replied that our paths were going to cross and that I should keep believing, dreaming and representing women in the sport.
“Two days later, her manager, who is her sister, reached out to my sister, and then she started supporting my career.”
Karol G primarily supports Calderón through her Con Cora Foundation, a non-profit organization established with the goal of empowering women in vulnerable conditions through methods that include sports. Their shared goals is one of many reasons Calderón has been proud to have Karol G’s branding on her car the past four years.
One of the first people to congratulate Calderón on her historic NASCAR Brasil victory was Karol G herself, which was an immense source of pride. Calderón considers Karol G to be one of the most influential figures of women empowerment around the world and is determined to use her own platform to leave a similar impact on racing.
The reactions Calderón received following her NASCAR Brasil triumph only reinforced how her actions and influence have led to positive change.
“There’s an increase in female fans in motorsports,” Calderón said. “You can see that on track; you can see that on social media. The love, the support, it’s been more than I could ever imagine. It’s the motivation to keep going to see that women start to believe they can be race drivers and they can do this amazing thing.
“I want to keep representing women, Latin American women around the world and show they can be whatever they want if they believe and have the passion.”
No matter where her journey takes her next, Calderón is going to remain steadfast in her mission and influence on the next generation of women in motorsports. One stop could be a potential return to active competition in the United States.
Calderón recently tested a Late Model Stock Car for MCM Racing Development, which was started by Mexican-born competitor Max Calles with the goal of giving Latin and South American drivers more opportunities. The drivers who have competed under Calles’ banner include Eloy Falcón and Calderón’s fellow NASCAR Brasil competitor Gabriel Casagrande.
Given that Calles also has an ARCA Menards Series program, there is a potential route for Calderón to advance up NASCAR’s developmental ladder. She wants to take the process one step at a time so she can properly acclimate herself to the cars and the environment in the U.S.
Even with such a prestigious background, Calderón knows patience is key.
“We want to build a strong path to [the] NASCAR Cup [Series],” Calderón said. “We want to do it properly starting with late models. NASCAR is such a unique culture, and obviously the cars here are very different than the ones we drive in Brazil. It’s a start to hopefully a path toward NASCAR Cup, which is one of our goals.”
Thinking about a possible career in the U.S. is not at the forefront of Calderón’s focus. There are a handful of opportunities remaining this year for Calderón to take home another checkered flag in NASCAR Brasil, with the victory in September allowing her to claim the final spot in the playoffs.
Once the season concludes, Calderón will evaluate her options. NASCAR Brasil has given Calderón plenty to celebrate in 2026, but she also wants to continue exploring different avenues all while reaching as many people as possible.
Whether that involves another venture away from South America is to be determined, but she is ready for the next challenge. Calderón is no stranger to globetrotting and is willing to go to any series in any country.
The only stipulation is that Calderón wants to be competitive. A grueling career around the world molded Calderón into someone who could win in NASCAR Brasil, so she has every reason to believe she can replicate that feat anywhere.
“I’m fortunate enough to have been able to compete in some of the toughest championships,” Calderón said. “Every day, I love this sport and my job more. In racing, you’ve got to have the tools to be able to win. For this part of my career, I want to show that I can win, and I can perform at the highest level, not just participate.
“Of course a championship is very important, but I want to be where people want to give me a chance to perform at the highest level.”
Calderón knows the little girl who went to the go-kart track with her older sister so many years ago would be proud of the woman she’s become.
Not only has Calderón successfully blazed her own trail in motorsports, but she got to fulfill her dream of driving a Formula 1 car … all while building a professional relationship with one of the biggest musicians in the world.
Calderón is grateful for every chance she got to prove herself as a winning driver. By maintaining a presence in racing, Calderón knows she is laying the foundation for other women around the world to chase the same dreams.