A fourth female driver in the IndyCar Series?

de Silvestro set to test for HVM Racing this week

After winning four races and finishing third in the 2009 Atlantics championship, Switzerland’s Simona de Silvestro could put herself in position to take the step up to the IZOD IndyCar Series.

de Silvestro will test for HVM Racing today and tomorrow at Sebring International Raceway in Florida as part of a collaboration between HVM and her Atlantics squad, Team Stargate Worlds. In 2009, de Silvestro took home the checkered flag at Miller Motorsports Park (Utah), New Jersey Motorsports Park, Lime Rock (Conn.), and Trois-Rivieres (Quebec, Canada).

“Simona has been impressive in Atlantics and could certainly have a future in IndyCar,” HVM team owner Keith Wiggins said in the team’s press release.  “This trip to Sebring is going to be sort of a litmus test to see if there’s potential for future collaboration with her and Team Stargate Worlds.”

In 2008, de Silvestro became just the second woman to win in Atlantics competition with a victory on the streets of Long Beach, Calif. Since that time, she’s garnered her fair share of press with her on-track success — which makes me intrigued at the possibility of seeing her in an IndyCar. While she’d have a steep learning curve (especially with ovals), I think she could get an HVM car to decent showings on road and street courses.

I also wonder how she’d fit in personality-wise in the series, and especially when compared to the three other female drivers in the series. Danica Patrick is, well, Danica Patrick, and she clearly holds the lion’s share of star power. Sarah Fisher’s steady expansion of her team has added another dimension to her “girl next door” vibe. And while Milka Duno may not be quite as talented as those two in an IndyCar, she’ll always be a YouTube immortal amongst race fans.

Where’s de Silvestro in that group? In a perfect world, her success would speak for itself. But unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. I guess I’m just curious (maybe too curious) as to what she’d bring to the table besides a lead foot, a few Atlantics checkered flags, and a chance to blog the “Swiss miss” phrase into oblivion at every event.

In any case, however, I’m all for good talent and she’s shown to be just that. She could be a nice addition to the grid.