Simona de Silvestro

[What's Burning?]

Give her a shot now, how much worse than Gutierrez or Sutil can she do? It would get positive media buzz into the sport and I'm sure Sauber could get healthy sponsorship deals out of the move.

ESPNF1 Simona de Silvestro insists she feels fully prepared to end the wait for a female Formula One driver as early as next season should the opportunity present itself.

Silvestro tested in a two-year old Sauber at Fiorano in April, the first step in what she hopes will be a journey to an F1 seat. Though Giovanna Amati took part in three qualifying sessions in 1992, the last woman to start an F1 race was Lella Lombardi at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix. Silvestro's Fiorano test prompted speculation a 2015 seat was on the cards and the Swiss driver is sure she can make the step up.

"I feel that now is the time," Silvestro told F1 Racing magazine. "I wouldn't have made this jump if it didn't feel right or it wasn't a good opportunity. That's why it felt normal to go to Fiorano, I didn't feel super crazy nervous.

"For me, it's been really important to focus on the racing part, because at the end of the day that's what people are going to judge you on, whether you're a boy or a girl. The most important thing is that when we put on our helmets, we are all the same. We are racing drivers and we try to do the best job that we can in a race car. That's always been my aim."

Silvestro turned her back on a promising Indycar career for her F1 opportunity, after becoming the first woman to secure a road course podium in the history of the series with second at Houston in 2013. Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, was a keen admirer of Silvestro in Indycar and has given his backing to her bid for an F1 seat.

"I've been following her closely since [her first Indycar test," Andretti told F1 Racing. "Once you have that helmet on, gender makes no difference. Passion and desire drive you and, with that, no obstacle is insurmountable. If you want to accomplish something, you're going to find a way and silence the critics with your performance. I wish her well because she's definitely a talent to be reckoned with."

[Hammer278]

WOOOOOO hope this breaks the dam and we get a whole load of chicks in racing suits!!

[racechick]

I believe she's already in the top fifty of one of the most marketable drivers lists based on future performances. I'd love to see her get a chance.

[CookinFlat6]

Andretti becomes more and more impressive with his clear and honest insight about drivers

[geetface9]

I vote they give her the seat instead of massa. If she doesn't do well then at least she might whine less

[Frontrunner]

Give her the seat i say.

[CookinFlat6]

I vote they give her the seat instead of massa. If she doesn't do well then at least she might whine less

erm, Massa is at Williams not Sauber, I know they both got tits but Simona aint the same person as Susie

Having said that, its just a matter of time before one of these teams does it and so it may as well be Williams to milk the media coverage.

[geetface9]

I vote they give her the seat instead of massa. If she doesn't do well then at least she might whine less

erm, Massa is at Williams not Sauber, I know they both got tits but Simona aint the same person as Susie

Having said that, its just a matter of time before one of these teams does it and so it may as well be Williams to milk the media coverage.

doh! I was thinking of suzie but hey $#@! it, give her massa's seat anyway cuz that sauber ain't going any where fast

[CookinFlat6]

and the only place massa is going fast to is the scene of the next collision

[geetface9]