Former IndyCar racer and Sauber Formula 1 test driver Simona de Silvestro has achieved her dream of qualifying for the Winter Olympics after switching from motorsport to bobsleigh

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Simona de Silvestro in bobsleigh action(Image: AP)

A former IndyCar competitor and Formula 1 test driver has fulfilled her ambition of securing a spot at the Winter Olympics following a dramatic career switch. Simona de Silvestro spent numerous years racing on asphalt tracks but has recently become more accustomed to ice after deciding to swap sporting codes.

She blazed a trail for women in motorsport, having competed 71 times in IndyCar and narrowly missing out on securing an F1 race drive. De Silvestro served as a test driver for Sauber in 2014, piloting an F1 car during a private session and was viewed as a serious contender for a spot on the 2015 grid.

But the chance disappeared when she and the Swiss outfit went their separate ways. The Swiss-Italian driver then moved to Formula E and subsequently travelled Down Under to compete in the Australian Supercars championship.

But it was in 2021 that she opted for a transformation and attempted to forge a route to the pinnacle of another discipline, choosing to dedicate all her energy to bobsleigh with an eye on qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

And she accomplished that objective, announcing on social media that she will fly the flag for the host country in Milano-Cortina this month. De Silvestro posted: “We officially made it. We’re going to the Olympic Games. 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! I cannot wait to represent Italy in Milano Cortina 2026.”

In a 2024 interview, De Silvestro revealed why she chose to walk away from competitive motorsport. She explained: “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.

“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.

“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. So far, it’s been a fun but challenging journey.”

She continued: “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.”

The 37-year-old hasn’t entirely ruled out a return to motorsport competition. 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.”