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KV Racing expects Simona de Silvestro to thrive in 2013

KV Racing Technology expects new signing Simona de Silvestro to take a major step forward under the tutelage of team-mate Tony Kanaan

The team announced on Tuesday that de Silvestro will leave HVM to become Kanaan's team-mate in a slimmed-down two-car line-up for the 2013 IndyCar Series, as predicted by AUTOSPORT last week.

The official announcement stated that KV will be a two-car team in 2013, which can be taken as confirmation that Rubens Barrichello and EJ Viso will drive elsewhere next season.

The deal also includes de Silvestro's long-time supporter Imran Safiulla becoming a team principal at Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser's squad. Several of de Silvestro's HVM colleagues, plus her primary sponsors Nuclear Clean Air Energy and AREVA, will make the move with her.

De Silvestro was an Atlantic title contender before moving into IndyCar with HVM in 2010. Her best result so far is fourth in St Petersburg in 2011, when she battled with Kanaan for a podium spot.

The 24-year-old's 2012 campaign was compromised by the uncompetitive Lotus engine.

"We are delighted to announce Simona to KV," said Vasser. "She has shown a lot of determination and to now be able to work with someone as experienced as Kanaan will be a huge asset for her."

Having never had a team-mate at HVM, de Silvestro agreed that joining 2004 champion Kanaan at KV would help her progress.

"I think it's going to be great having Tony as a team-mate," she said. "It's never easy to make a change like this, but I'm confident that it's the right move for me going forward."

She also thanked HVM and team boss Keith Wiggins for giving her an IndyCar breakthrough.

"I do want to thank Keith and HVM Racing for helping me gain a tonne of experience these last three years," de Silvestro said.

De Silvestro made her debut for KV in a test at Barber on Monday. She will have two more opportunities to become acquainted with both her new team and its Chevrolet engine before the end of the year, with KV having scheduled tests at Texas and Sebring.

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