In an extraordinary sporting transformation, former IndyCar competitor and Sauber Formula 1 test driver Simona de Silvestro has realised her ambition of qualifying for the Winter Olympics, swapping asphalt tracks for icy bobsleigh runs in a dramatic career pivot.
A Trailblazing Motorsport Career
De Silvestro blazed a trail for women in motorsport, competing in 71 IndyCar races and coming tantalisingly close to securing a full-time Formula 1 race seat. Her talent was undeniable when she served as a test driver for the Sauber F1 team in 2014, piloting their car during private sessions and emerging as a serious contender for the 2015 grid.
However, that opportunity evaporated when she and the Swiss outfit parted ways. The Swiss-Italian driver subsequently transitioned to Formula E before heading to Australia to compete in the Supercars championship, demonstrating her versatility across different racing disciplines.
The Bold Transition to Bobsleigh
In 2021, de Silvestro embarked on her most audacious challenge yet, deciding to channel all her energy into bobsleigh with the explicit goal of qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. "We officially made it. We're going to the Olympic Games," she announced triumphantly on social media. "Proof that a little crazy, mixed with belief, can make the impossible real. It all started with a dream that I wasn't scared to chase!"
Reflecting on her decision in a 2024 interview, de Silvestro explained her motivation: "I think it all comes down to the fact that I just love sport. When I was a kid, I used to watch the Olympics and I always felt inspired by the Games. And to be able to do that once in my lifetime would be amazing."
She detailed her selection process: "So, at some point I started going through all the Olympic sports to see which ones I could realistically take part in. That's how I came to bobsleigh, because I feel it's the closest thing to driving a race car."
Navigating a New Sporting Landscape
The 37-year-old athlete described the challenging journey: "Three years ago, I finally decided to go for it 100 percent. I managed to find a way in, after a lot of awkward phone calls. Now I'm part of the Italian national team, trying to qualify for the Olympic Games. It's a hard dream to achieve for sure, but I think it's quite uplifting when you have something completely new to strive for."
De Silvestro highlighted the stark contrasts between her former and current sports: "In motorsport, you have the race that is unfolding and it's quite long. A lot of things are happening on the track. But in bobsleigh, it all comes down to a few short minutes, and getting everything out of that first push. If you make one tiny mistake, it can hurt quite badly. In one sense, with the speed, it's comparable, but the way you approach bobsleigh compared to car racing is way different."
Future Ambitions and Legacy
Despite her focus on bobsleigh, de Silvestro hasn't completely closed the door on motorsport. After participating in an exclusive all-female Formula E test in 2024, she confirmed: "I'd like to do the Indy 500 again. I still have big goals."
Her qualification for the Winter Olympics represents not just a personal triumph but a testament to athletic adaptability, proving that elite skills can transfer across seemingly disparate sporting domains. As she prepares to represent Italy on the world's biggest winter sports stage, de Silvestro's story serves as inspiration for athletes contemplating unconventional career paths.
