Sauber, the Austrian Formula 1 team, keeps bringing surprises for the 2014 season. It all started after signing a contract with the Russian racing driver Sergey Sirotkin. And now here comes another remarkable event. The team signed a contract with the former IndyCar female racing driver Simona de Silvestro. Officially, Simona was announced as an “affiliated driver”. According to Sauber, its major task is preparing her for a race seat in Formula 1 in 2015.
De Silvestro spent 4 years in IndyCar Series. She scored one podium and was named “Rookie of the Year” in 2010. This year her training course will consist of track tests, aiming to master her race car handling skills and earning her F1 super license, and work in the simulator. The course will also include “physical and mental training”.
Esteban Gutiérrez will complete the driver line-up together with Adrian Sutil in 2014 season. Sauber named Guido van der Garde, last year’s Caterham driver, and the Russian pilot Sergey Sirotkin as its test drivers.
Simona de Silvestro is not the only female Formula 1 pilot. Maria de Villota was formerly a test driver for the Russian Marussia team. In July 2012 she was involved in a serious testing accident. Doctors were able to save the life of the pilot but she lost her eye. Last year de Villota died suddenly. Doctors assume that her death was directly linked to the injuries she had sustained.
According to www.motor.ru
