Former F1 test driver Simona de Silvestro qualifies for Winter Olympics in bobsleigh

Former Sauber F1 test driver Simona de Silvestro has qualified to compete in bobsleigh for Italy at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, marking a dramatic career switch from motorsport. The Swiss-Italian, who raced in IndyCar and Formula E, will trade the cockpit for a sled after dedicating recent years to the winter sport.

Why it matters:

De Silvestro's qualification highlights a rare and successful transition from elite motorsport to elite winter sports, demonstrating the transferable skills of reaction time, nerve, and peak physical conditioning. It brings significant mainstream and motorsport attention to the Olympic bobsleigh events, with a known athlete entering a new arena.

The details:

• De Silvestro, 37, was an "affiliated driver" for the Sauber F1 team (now Audi) in 2014, testing a 2012-spec car at Fiorano with an eye on a 2015 race seat that never materialized.
• She built her reputation primarily in American open-wheel racing, making 71 IndyCar Series starts between 2010 and 2022 with a best finish of 13th.
• Her diverse career also included competing in Formula E and the Australian Supercars championship.
• She participated in an all-female Formula E test as recently as November 2024, indicating her maintained connection to racing.
• In a social media post announcing her qualification, de Silvestro stated, "Proof that a little crazy, mixed with belief, can make the impossible real."

What's next:

De Silvestro will represent Italy when the bobsleigh events are held during the Winter Olympics from February 6-22, 2026. While her primary focus is on the Olympics, she maintains ties to motorsport through her work as a pundit for Swiss broadcaster SRF Sport, bridging her two athletic worlds.