F1 juniors spearhead DAMS GP3 line-up
Sauber's new development driver Tatiana Calderon and Haas protege Santino Ferrucci will race for French outfit DAMS in GP3 in 2017.
GP3 Series Media Service
Calderon and Ferrucci will both be sophomore drivers in the class of 2017, although while the American had contested his debut campaign with DAMS, Calderon had been racing for British outfit Arden.
The pair will be joined by 19-year-old rookie Bruno Baptista, a former Formula 4 Sudamericana champion who spent the past two years in Formula Renault 2.0 and tested GP3 machinery in the off-season with DAMS and Jenzer.
Last year's campaign marked the DAMS team's debut in GP3, the French squad placing fourth among the seven teams taking part in the series' first season with the Dallara GP3/16 car.
DAMS also recorded two wins, both courtesy of British driver Jake Hughes.
“2016 was our first year in GP3 and we achieved some very strong results, confirming our potential and improving throughout the season,” team owner Jean-Paul Driot said. “We are delighted to have such a strong line-up this year.”
Ferrucci, 18, joined GP3 out of Formula 3 last year and would finish 12th overall at the end of the season, claiming a maiden podium at Spa-Francorchamps.
Calderon, 23, likewise made a move from F3 to GP3 and was 21st in the drivers' standings, with points finishes at Hockenheim and Monza making her the highest-scoring female driver in GP3 history so far.
Said Driot: “Santino showed incredible pace during his first season and we gained vital experience that will see us regularly fight for wins this year.
“We have known Tatiana for some time and followed her progress throughout 2016. She’s very focused and dedicated, so we are confident of achieving some good results together.
“Bruno will be the rookie in the team, this will be a good chance for him to learn from the team’s experience. He performed very well in the test and I’m sure he will be competitive from the start.”
2017 GP3 driver line-up so far:
| Team | Drivers |
|---|---|
| ART Grand Prix |
|
| Arden International |
|
| Trident |
|
| DAMS |
|
| Koiranen GP | TBA |
| Jenzer Motorsport |  Arjun Maini |
| Campos Racing |  Julien Falchero |
George Russell
Nirei Fukuzumi
Niko Kari
Steijn Schothorst
Leonardo Pulcini
Kevin Jorg
Santino Ferrucci
Tatiana Calderon
Bruno Baptista
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