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Calderon, Figueiredo Complete GEAR Lineup for Daytona

Tatiana Calderon to make GT3 debut with GEAR at Daytona; Figueiredo on board for Enduros…

Photos: Formula 2; Mike Levitt/IMSA

New IMSA outfit GEAR Racing has added FIA Formula 2 competitor Tatiana Calderon and Stock Car Brasil regular Bia Figueiredo to its extended 2019 driver lineup.

Calderon will make her IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut in next month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, co-driving the team’s Grasser Racing Team-operated Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo with Figueiredo, Christina Nielsen and Katherine Legge.

The Alfa Romeo Formula 1 test driver made the step from GP3 to Formula 2 for the 2019 season, which she contested with BWT Arden.

Her role with GEAR in the 2020 season-opening Rolex 24 will mark her first outing in GT3 machinery, although she has contested sporadic sports car races before including a Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cameo in Mexico this year.

“Coming back to America where I started my international career is quite special,” Calderon said. “I can’t wait to drive on the famous Daytona banking for the first time.”

Figueiredo, meanwhile, will tackle three of the four Michelin Endurance Cup rounds at Daytona, Sebring and Motul Petit Le Mans with full-season drivers Nielsen and Legge.

The Brazilian contested six of the eleven GTD races last season with the all-female Heinricher Racing Acura NSX crew and is now set for her second IMSA campaign.

“In 2019, I had the opportunity to race with Katherine and Christina which was an incredible experience,” she said. “I am honored to be part of GEAR Racing and I’m confident we will achieve great results.

“I can’t wait to drive the No. 19 GRT prepared Lamborghini at ROAR with the girls! We really have a great shot of wining in 2020.”

Head of Lamborghini Motorsport Giorgio Sanna added: “I’m really happy to welcome Bia and Tatiana into Lamborghini’s first all-female lineup.

“They’re both hugely experienced drivers and of course, fast, undoubtedly an added value for the GRT Grasser Racing Team, and we are looking forward to supporting them in this new and exciting challenge.”

Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365, covering the FIA World Endurance Championship, Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among other series.

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