Supercars 2023: Swiss Star Simona De Silvestro’s Australian Arrival Delayed For Bathurst Preparations After Appendix Surgery

A Supercars driver had to postpone her return after unexpected surgery, jeopardizing her preparation for the Bathurst 1000.

Simona de Silvestro, a star from Switzerland, had to have emergency appendix surgery, which pushed back her preparations for her wildcard in the Bathurst 1000.

With the 4th and 5th of September being such pivotal test days for her Dick Johnson Racing wildcard, de Silvestro was expected to travel to Australia later this week.

But De Silvestro had to have emergency surgery to remove her appendix over the weekend, so her plans have been delayed.

The former IndyCar driver is currently recovering in Switzerland and is not anticipated to join the team in Australia until mid-September. She will thus miss the two test days scheduled for next week in DJR's Gen3 Mustang at Queensland Raceway.

For DJR's first wildcard at Mount Panorama in four years, De Silvestro will team up with Super 2 young gun Kai Allen.

The Ford team has announced that preparations are being made for wildcard testing prior to the Bathurst 1000.

According to a statement released by DJR, "Simona de Silvestro was scheduled to land in Australia later this week in advance of wildcard testing at Queensland Raceway on the 4th and 5th of September."

However, her trip to Australia has been delayed since she needed emergency surgery to remove her appendix over the weekend.

The current timetable has Simona joining the team in Australia around the middle of September after a successful recovery in Switzerland. Before the Repco Bathurst 1000, alternate plans are being made for wildcard testing.

The Shell V-Power Racing Team hopes to have Simona back on the track as soon as she is healthy enough.

From 2017 to 2019, de Silvestro raced full-time in Supercars for Nissan Motorsport/Kelly Racing. In her final year of competition, she placed nineteenth in the championship.

After two previous attempts in wildcards with Renee Gracie before making Supercars her full-time career, De Silvestro will be making her sixth attempt at the Great Race in the DJR.

Allen will pilot the No. 98 wild card car for DJR during pre-endurance season testing at Queensland Raceway on September 5. Despite missing De Silvestro, DJR will still have three cars on track.