Indy: Fast first test laps from Simona
ALL WELL DONE At the Indy 500 Open Test, Simona de Silvestro completed her first laps at Indianapolis in six years over two days. Her times were already good enough for a midfield ranking. All drivers who don't regularly race in the IndyCar Series oval races and the Indy 500 had to take part in Thursday's test at the world's most famous speedway [...]
All the drivers who don't regularly compete in the IndyCar Series oval races and the Indy 500 first had to turn up at the world's most famous speedway on Thursday for a test session. For Simona de Silvestro and the newly formed all-female team Paretta Autosport, it was their first appearance in an IndyCar Series event.
Towards 360 km/h average on the oval
On Friday, it continued official testing. Among the 31 competitors at the Indy 500 Open Test, the "Swiss Missile" turned in the 21st time. In the process, it achieved an average speed of 223.5 miles or the equivalent of 357.6 km/h!
The 32-year-old from Vaud was thus faster than cracks like her former teammate Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti, Sébastien Bourdais and former Sauber GP driver Marcus Ericsson.
Simona de Silvestro: "When you drive here again after such a long time, it feels really fast. But I felt comfortable right away, so we were soon able to work on the car and also on me. Everything went well and I've already found a lot of confidence, which is very important, especially in Indianapolis."
For the first time with windshield
Apart from getting used to the processes in and around the car again, the aeroscreen - a kind of windshield - used since 2020 was the biggest change. But even with the somewhat restricted view as a result, she soon got to grips with it, as evidenced by the number of laps and the times.
Valuable support from the master team
The team led by American Beth Paretta is technically supported by the multiple champion crew Penske. Simona de Silvestro was therefore allowed to exchange ideas with the four Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power and Josef Newgarden and also take part in the briefings.
She will receive special coaching for her comeback at the Indy 500 from four-time winner Rick Mears.
Simona de Silvestro: "Rick is a legend. His tips and the exchange of ideas with the four Penske drivers help me progress much faster than if I had to work everything out myself first. That's an enormous help. I really have a good feeling that we can achieve a lot together in May."
May 18 marks the start of the countdown
Official practice in Indianapolis runs from May 18 to 21. After that, the two-day qualifying session begins according to a special mode in which the 33 grid positions are determined.
The Indianapolis 500-mile race, which is being held for the 105th time, is then scheduled for May 30, provided it doesn't rain. After Simona de Silvestro's successful return at the Open Test, there are high hopes for the only woman in the field.
