HVM impressed by de Silvestro
HVM Racing boss Keith Wiggins said Atlantic graduate Simona de Silvestro got up to speed so quickly in her maiden IndyCar test that the team had no qualms about putting her straight to work on 2010 developments
Swiss 21-year-old de Silvestro spent two days testing for HVM at Sebring this week with a view to joining the IndyCar Series with HVM in a partnership with her Atlantic squad Team Stargate Worlds.
"She was very impressive," said Wiggins. "From the first laps, she showed she was capable of driving the car fast and she progressed rapidly. She was fast, consistent and gave good driver feedback.
"In fact, by the second half of the first day, we were so comfortable that we began working on development of our 2010 programme using her feedback. By day two, I think everyone forgot she wasn't a seasoned professional. Everyone enjoyed working with her."
Stargate Worlds bosses Shane Seneviratne and Imran Safiulla agreed that the test boded well for a future alliance.
"These were two very important days for us and our commercial partners," they said in a statement. "Simona got comfortable in the car over the last few days and it has been very exciting to get a glimpse of what may lie ahead."
De Silvestro finished third in this year's Atlantic Championship, having led the standings until she was involved in a final round collision.
HVM has already signed Robert Doornbos for 2010 and is looking for a second driver with EJ Viso set to move on after two years with the squad.
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