Simona De Silvestro
Formula racing // Thun, Switzerland
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Simona De Silvestro: Swiss-Italian racer began in karting, transitioning to Italian Formula Renault 2.0 in 2005. She achieved success in IndyCar, Formula E, and V8 Supercars. Key milestones include first female podium at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2006, first IndyCar podium in 2013, and scoring points in the 2016 Formula E championship.
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Sure, I’m a woman, but first and foremost I regard myself as a racing driver
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Simona De Silvestro is a trailblazing Swiss racing driver who has made her mark across multiple prestigious motorsport categories, including IndyCar, Formula E, and Australian V8 Supercars, becoming one of the most versatile female racers in the sport today.
EARLY YEARS
Born in Switzerland, Simona was introduced to motorsports through her father, a car dealer with a passion for racing who would watch Formula 1 races with her every Sunday. At just four years old, she had her first go-kart experience at her father’s dealership, though she couldn’t reach the pedals. When she turned seven, her father fulfilled his promise to buy her a go-kart when she was tall enough, setting the foundation for her racing career. By age 17, she made the significant decision to move to the United States to pursue her racing ambitions.
EARLY SUCCESS
Simona began competitive racing at age six or seven, spending about a decade in karting before advancing to cars. Her promising career began with a win in rainy conditions at her first race in France. In 2006, she made her car racing debut in Formula BMW USA, before progressing to the Atlantic Championship in 2008. Her breakthrough came in 2010 when she joined IndyCar and was named Rookie of the Year at the Indianapolis 500. Despite suffering second-degree burns in a 2011 incident, her determination never wavered. A defining moment arrived in October 2013 with her first IndyCar podium finish—second place at the Grand Prix of Houston—joining Danica Patrick and Sarah Fisher as the only women to achieve this feat in IndyCar history.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2006: Finished fourth in Formula BMW North America Championship with one win and five podium finishes, becoming the first woman to reach the podium at Indianapolis Motor Speedway[1].
- 2008: Won the Atlantic race at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, becoming the second woman to win in that series after Katherine Legge[4].
- 2009: Participated in an IndyCar Series test at Sebring International Raceway and won four times in the Atlantic Championship, finishing third overall[4].
- 2010: Competed full-time in IndyCar Series with HVM Racing, finishing 14th at the Indianapolis 500 and earning Rookie of the Year honors[2].
- 2013: Finished second at the Grand Prix of Houston, securing her first IndyCar podium[1].
- 2014: Announced as an “affiliated driver” with Sauber Formula 1 team and began testing at Fiorano Circuit[4].
- 2016: Became the first female driver to score points in Formula E with a 9th place finish at the Long Beach ePrix[4].
- 2017: Signed a three-year contract as a full-time driver for Nissan Motorsport in the Australian Supercars Championship[2].
- 2021: Returned to the Indianapolis 500 with Paretta Autosport[2].
- 2023: Competed as a wildcard entry at the Repco Bathurst 1000 with Dick Johnson Racing[4].
REPUTATION
De Silvestro has earned recognition as a versatile and determined competitor who excels across multiple racing disciplines. Her aggressive yet respectful driving style has garnered respect from peers and fans alike. As one of the few women to achieve podium finishes in major motorsport categories, she has carved out a reputation as a pioneer who competes on merit rather than gender. Her resilience after setbacks, particularly returning to race after suffering burns in 2011, demonstrates her unwavering commitment to the sport. Throughout her career, Simona has been known for her technical feedback and adaptability to different racing formats.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Simona aims to continue promoting women in motorsport through her racing endeavors and partnership with pioneering teams like Kiro Race Co. She has expressed interest in continuing her relationship with Paretta Autosport in IndyCar, a female-majority team with whom she has established a strong connection. While balancing multiple racing commitments across different series, De Silvestro remains focused on inspiring the next generation of female racers through her competitive achievements and advocacy work.
References:
Supercars Driver Profile
Porsche Stories: Simona De Silvestro
Speedcafe: Formula E News
Females in Motorsport: IndyCar Podium Winner
Wikipedia: Simona de Silvestro
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