Ex-Sauber F1 test driver Simona de Silvestro returns to IndyCar
Simona de Silvestro will return to IndyCar in the 2015 season-opener after securing a one-off deal to drive the fourth Andretti Autosport entry
The Swiss driver had signed an affiliate deal with Sauber in early 2014 with the aim of racing in Formula 1 this year, only to later split with the team due to contractual problems.
Prior to returning to Europe, she had spent four years in IndyCar, and she said that she is looking forward to restarting her career in the US.
"I am very excited to be joining Andretti Autosport and to become a part of a team with such a successful history," she said.
"I feel really special to have been given this opportunity to drive for them, and am really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of an IndyCar."
Team boss Michael Andretti added that he would like to extend the deal beyond the St Petersburg opener.
"We are really excited to have Simona come on board with the team for St Pete," he said.
"Hopefully we'll be able to build on the programme, eventually taking it from this race to future events and maybe even a full-season."
De Silvestro spent her first three IndyCar seasons with HVM before moving to KV Racing in 2013, where she earned her career-best championship position of 13th.
She joins an Andretti line-up that also includes Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti and Carlos Munoz.
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