De Silvestro: Single-seat sponsor search “frustrating”

After what she admits was an at times frustrating battle for funds in open-wheelers, the Swiss star has elected to leave her IndyCar and Formula E dreams behind and focus on an immediate future Down Under.

She has inked a three-year deal with Supercars, the series itself, and is set to line-up on the grid full-time from next season onwards.

While admitting she didn’t get everything she wanted out of her open-wheel career, particularly IndyCar, she says the idea of not having to chase sponsorship for a few years was the tipping point.

“I think in IndyCar, that was car that really suited me. I wish I could have done a couple more years there, and had some better results,” she told Motorsport.com. “To have been in a big team, that would have been the big achievement which didn’t quite happen.

“But I’m really happy with the opportunity to drive Supercars. For me it’s really important to know where I’m going to be racing, and have some continuity to really develop. Just not being year-to-year, not knowing what’s going on. It’s exhausting, and it’s really frustrating as a driver.

“Nowadays, as a driver, it’s so dependent on sponsorship that it feels like that’s all you’re doing.

“So it’s nice to know I have found my place. For sure it’s going to be a big challenge, but it’s a new challenge, a new experience. As a driver it’s just going to make me better and more complete.”

For more with de Silvestro, check out Motorsport.com’s full Q&A.