Atlantics Star of Tomorrow (wk 1): Simona De Silvestro

Kicking off our Atlantic Star of Tomorrow series is Switzerland's Simona De Silvestro. Currently contesting her second season in the Coopertires Atlantic Series with Newman Wachs Racing, Simona became the second woman, since Katherine Legges historic win in 2005, to win an Atlantic race at last weekend's 2008 season opener.

Who is Simona de Silvestro?

“I’m a 19 year old driver from Switzerland, who always was into motorsports. My dad has a car dealership and I was always around cars. I can remember that I was crying when I was four years old and couldn’t reach the pedals of my go-kart! Two years later I started racing with go-karts. At this moment I live in Chicago, close to my team.”

What ladder did you climb to the Indy Lights?

“I’ve spend ten years in go-karting and started racing in the Italian Formula Renault. After that year I moved to America to race in the Formula BMW USA and became the first woman to score a podium finish and fourth in the championship. In 2007 I had a difficult rookie season in the Champ Car Atlantics, but I think that made me tougher for this season.”

What is your goal in motorsports?

“Like most other drivers I would like to go to the Formula 1, for sure. But I know that’s very difficult, so I think that my most important goal is to become a professional driver. I think that would be a very good achievement.”

Who do you see as example for your career?

“I always liked Michael Schumacher a lot, but now that he’s not driving anymore, I think I’ll go for Kimi Raikonen. I also like Neel Jani, who’s also from Switzerland and raced last year in Champ Car.”

How would you define your driving style?

“I think I’m a calm driver, but can sometimes also be very aggressive in the race. The only thing I could improve is that I’m sometimes thinking too much in the car, but sometimes that’s also a good thing.”

How are you different than other drivers?

“The biggest difference is that I’m of course a girl! For me, I don’t see it as a big difference, if your performance is good, others also don’t care about it. I guess that I’m also one of the calm drivers, although I can sometimes also go crazy!”

What do you do when you’re not racing?

“Actually everything I do is about racing. When I’m not racing, I spend hours per day in the fitness to stay in shape for the racing or spend time with my crew. I think it’s very important to build a good relationship with your team to become successful.”

If you would fit your life in one theme song, which one would it be?

“Simona from James Blunt! I wouldn’t know any other song that would fit me.”