De Silvestro: Never say never on full-time return
Simona De Silvestro is taking a “never say never” approach on a full-time Supercars comeback as she readies for her first start since 2019.
On Tuesday, De Silvestro was announced alongside teenager Kai Allen in a Shell V-Power Racing Team Bathurst 1000 wildcard.
The Swiss driver will make her first Great Race start since 2019, when she raced full-time with Kelly Racing and Nissan.
After leaving Supercars, De Silvestro joined Porsche’s factory programme, has made IndyCar cameos, and raced in ADAC GT Masters.
As part of her Porsche commitments, De Silvestro is a test and reserve day driver for the marque’s Formula E team.
When asked if she would entertain a Supercars return, De Silvestro didn’t close the door on the idea.
Newcastle 2019, De Silvestro's last start
“I think when people know my career, they know that I usually try to go where the best opportunity is,” the 34-year-old said.
“I’m the type of person who never says never, you know? I think if the opportunity is right to be in a competitive car, I think it’s always something to consider.
“At the moment, I’m also in a good position with Porsche and all that but, for sure, at the end of the day, I want to win races and I want to be competitive.
“So, whatever comes, never say never, I would say.”
De Silvestro will make her sixth Bathurst start in October, having made wildcard starts in 2015 (Prodrive) and 2016 (Kelly Racing).
Her best Bathurst finish was 13th in 2019, with 19th her best overall finish.
De Silvestro has featured in several different categories since
De Silvestro labelled the Shell V-Power Racing Team cameo as her strongest Bathurst chance yet, claiming she has "unfinished business".
“When I look at my three years in Supercars, I felt I developed quite well throughout the years but definitely I think the car that I was in maybe wasn’t able to be where it should be," she explained.
“Coming back to Bathurst is one thing, but I think that coming back with this team, I want to work even harder to get a good result and to really come out of the weekend on a high because I think we have all the pieces to do pretty well.
“I think, unfinished business, it’s always there. You want to be winning and you want to show what you can when you’re in a race car, so this is an amazing opportunity for it.”
De Silvestro and Allen will complete a testing program in the weeks leading up to the Repco Bathurst 1000, which will be held on October 5-8.
The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight on July 28-30. Tickets are on sale now.
