Tatiana Calderón begins her Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America campaign today as she takes to the track with RAFA Racing Team for the opening day of running at Sebring International Raceway.
The Colombian driver will share a RAFA Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 with Jem Hepworth in the 2026 championship, with Wednesday’s practice sessions marking Calderón’s first official laps in the series with the Houston-based organization.
For Calderón – whose career has included roles as a Formula 1 test driver along with campaigns across international single-seater and endurance racing categories – the Sebring event represents the start of a new chapter in North American sports car racing.
“Ever since I came back to race here in the U.S., I felt this is the place where I want to be,” Calderón said. “To drive a Lamborghini – I think anybody in the world would jump for that opportunity – and to do it with a team that has such a strong project and winning mentality is really special.”
Learning the Lamborghini
Calderón’s introduction to the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 began during pre-season testing at Sebring last week – a circuit famous for its unforgiving bumps and demanding surface.
That early running proved crucial as she adapted to a car with very different characteristics compared to the GT3 machinery she has driven previously.
“I think it was super important that we did the test,” Calderón explained. “I’m used to GT3 cars that have a bit more flexibility, not only with setup but also with how you approach the corner and the different tires.”
“So it was important for me to get a feel for the car, for the team, and for my teammate.”
The Lamborghini quickly left its impression.
“It’s a really powerful car,” she said. “It goes really fast on the straight line, and you have to adapt the way you drive compared to a GT car. It was definitely a different experience.”
Sebring’s notoriously bumpy layout only added to the challenge.
“We were joking that it doesn’t really get any worse than Sebring,” Calderón said. “Starting with the hardest track is a big challenge, but it’s also very good preparation.”
With 38 cars expected on the grid for the season opener, Calderón said the test was critical in helping her understand the demands of the championship.
“It’s going to be hot – these cars don’t have air conditioning like the new GT3 cars – so it’s extremely warm inside,” she said. “But we managed to do a lot of race runs and preparation, which should help us for the weekend.”
A natural connection with RAFA
Calderón’s move to RAFA Racing Team came through relationships built earlier in her career during her time racing in Europe.
“I actually knew Toni Calderon (no relation) from the team during my time racing in GP3 in Europe,” Calderón said. “He was managing a Mexican driver, and we met in the European paddock.”
“When we saw he was joining RAFA and the amazing project they’re building, it made perfect sense to try and do something together.”
For Calderón, the team’s Latin American roots also made the partnership feel particularly natural.
“Being Latin American myself, with the Latin roots the team has with Rafa Matinez, it felt like a great fit,” she said.
“I’m super excited to join this family. The atmosphere they’re creating is one that wants to give drivers the best chance possible to do their job – which is driving. It’s a complete package for me.”
The Colombian driver also sees the program as the beginning of something bigger.
“My aim is to grow with the team,” Calderón said. “When you see the amount of projects they have and how much they’ve developed in such a short time, it’s very exciting.”
“Hopefully the goal is to get back to the top category in GT3 soon – and I’d love to do that with RAFA.”
Building chemistry with Jem Hepworth
A key part of the Super Trofeo format is the strength of the driver pairing, and Calderón will share the RAFA Lamborghini with British racer Jem Hepworth.
Although the two drivers met for the first time during testing, Calderón said the early signs of the partnership have been encouraging.
“It was the first time we met, but we clicked straight away,” she said. “We get along really well, and that’s important because if you want to win, you have to work together.”
From a technical perspective, the pairing appears well aligned.
“We actually use the same seat and the same insert, which already tells you a lot,” Calderón explained. “Our seat position works for both of us, which is a great start.”
Even more promising was the similarity in driving styles.
“I think we drive in a very similar way,” Calderón said. “So from a setup point of view, that should make things easier.”
Hepworth’s experience with the Lamborghini platform is expected to be an important advantage.
“She won a lot of races last year, and she has a lot of experience with this car,” Calderón said. “That’s going to be very helpful for me, and I’m sure we can learn from each other.”
Ultimately, the objective is straightforward.
“We want to win,” she said. “So we know we have to work together to achieve that.”
Racing where she wants to be
Beyond the competition itself, Calderón said one of the aspects that impressed her most about RAFA Racing Team was the environment it has created for drivers.
The organization has built a reputation for developing talent across multiple championships while providing genuine opportunities for female racers.
That culture was immediately evident during Calderón’s first experience with the team.
“The first time we were on track, there were three girls and one boy,” she said. “I looked around and thought, ‘Wow, times are changing.’”
“It’s amazing to see that kind of parity and commitment to diversity in the sport.”
For Calderón, however, the key issue is not simply participation but opportunity.
“There’s one thing about having more female drivers participating,” she said. “But the other part is having the chance to be in winning machinery.”
“And that’s what RAFA is all about – giving drivers the right package to win.”
That philosophy is one Calderón believes will define her first season with the team.
“I’ve always wanted to be in an environment where you’re judged simply as a racing driver,” she said. “No distinction between men and women – just the best opportunity to perform.”
A new chapter begins
With the first Lamborghini Super Trofeo practice sessions taking place today, Calderón’s debut race weekend with RAFA Racing Team is officially underway.
After a career that has taken her across Formula 1 testing roles, international single-seaters, and endurance racing programs, the Colombian driver believes she has found the right environment for the next phase of her career.
“I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity,” she said.
“My goal is simple – to work as hard as possible, deliver strong results, and hopefully build something long-term with this team.”
“And this feels like the perfect place to start that journey.”
Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America schedule – Sebring
Wednesday, March 18
10:25 am – 11:10 am: Practice #1 – Lamborghini Super Trofeo
3:05 pm – 3:50 pm: Practice #2 – Lamborghini Super Trofeo
Thursday, March 19
11:55 am – 12:10 pm: Qualifying #1 – Lamborghini Super Trofeo
12:15 pm – 12:30 pm: Qualifying #2 – Lamborghini Super Trofeo
6:05 pm – 6:55 pm: Race #1 – Lamborghini Super Trofeo
Friday, March 20
4:35 pm – 5:25 pm: Race #2 – Lamborghini Super Trofeo
