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De Silvestro open to Australian Supercars move for 2017

V8 Supercars - Bathurst 1000: Practice

BATHURST, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 08: Simona De Silvestro driver of #200 Harvey Norman Supergirls Falcon looks on during practice for the Bathurst 1000, which is race 25 of the V8 Supercars Championship at Mount Panorama on October 8, 2015 in Bathurst, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

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Recent IndyCar and Formula E driver Simona de Silvestro is open to moving into the Australian Supercars championship full-time in 2017.

De Silvestro was recently dropped by Andretti’s Formula E team following a disappointing season that yielded just two points finishes, making way for Antonio Felix da Costa.

Team boss Michael Andretti told NBC Sports last month that de Silvestro could remain part of the Andretti Autosport fold, but that her future remained uncertain.

De Silvestro made her debut in V8 Supercars at last year’s Bathurst 1000 alongside Renee Gracie, finishing 21st.

After announcing earlier this week that she would be returning to Mount Panorama in 2016 with Gracie, de Silvestro said she would be open to racing in the series full-time next year.

“I think, for me, I’ve had a tough year in Formula E right now and I’m definitely looking at all the options that there is out there,” de Silvestro told supercars.com.

“Supercars – I really enjoyed Bathurst last year, it’s definitely something to look at. There’s the support of Harvey Norman also and the female action is quite important.

“Right now there’s no decisions made, the racing is a lot of fun here and as a race car driver that’s what you look for, and going full tilt all the time.

“So who knows. Maybe. I don’t know yet.”

Supercars CEO James Warburton said the series would do everything in its power to get de Silvestro on board for 2017.

“First and foremost Simona is an incredible driver. The sport is talking about her as the ‘real deal’ having seen what she achieved at Bathurst last year given it was the first time she had ever driven a Supercar,” Warburton said.

“The fact that she is the fastest female on four wheels will inspire a new generation of fans and showcase the potential and possibilities for women in the top tier of motorsport, which is an important ambition and we believe an obligation we have for our series.

“Simona’s achievements of having been Formula 1 test driver, been one of only three females to stand on an IndyCar podium and her achievements in Karting and European Championships absolutely makes her a target for Supercars, quite a remarkable career to consider when she is still only 27.

“Globally Simona has a number of options and people chasing her, all we can do is try and get to the front of the queue.

“And believe me, we are pushing.”

Follow @LukeSmithF1