Unlocking Speed

This time last year Swiss superstar Simona de Silvestro completed her second wildcard appearance at the Bathurst 1000 and was preparing for her full-time stint in Supercars. One year on, we touch base with the 29-year-old to discuss her progress.

- John Bannon

Supercars isn’t easy for rookies, let alone one new to touring-car racing and Australia. Nissan Motorsport rookie Simona de Silvestro has had a lot to learn in her first full-time season in Supercars, as she tells V8X Supercar Magazine’s John Bannon.

How do you feel you’re fitting in at Nissan Motorsport?

Yeah, I feel like I fit in pretty good. There has definitely been a lot of progress and now I think we are pretty close, but we’re still missing a little bit. It’s always the last few tenths that are the hardest to find, but that’s why we are working really hard on the car to find that.

You had your family here for the endurance events. How has that been?

It’s actually the first time this year that they have come, so it’s nice. When you move from Switzerland to Australia it is a bit lonely sometimes, but the team has been really good to me. And, yeah, for sure having your parents around is always nice.

Some commentators have said that you’re one of the best full-time internationals to come out to race in Australia, not only in terms of your reputation but what you’ve produced on the track. What do you think of that suggestion?

It’s pretty good but at the same time I’m not really happy with my performance. Okay, it is good to see the series is tough because other people have tried before and struggled as much as I did or even more. That gives you a little bit of confidence.

As a driver you just want to get quicker, so it doesn’t really matter what people have done before you as you just want to focus on yourself and move forward.

What are you doing well and what do you need to work on?