Photo Credit: IndyCar
Global technology company TE Connectivity has expanded its relationship with Andretti Autosport to field an entry at the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500 for Simona de Silvestro. The only female driver currently confirmed to qualify for the 500-mile race, the 26-year-old will take the wheel of the No. 29 TE Connectivity Honda.
The Swiss-born driver unveiled her Indy 500 livery today at The Franklin Institute, located in the heart of Philadelphia, where she joined TE Connectivity representatives to discuss STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) initiatives in racing with local junior high and high school students.
“TE Connectivity’s connectivity and sensor technologies are in every Andretti Autosport Indy car and meet the high performance standards and extreme conditions that Andretti Autosport requires,” said Amy Shah, chief marketing officer, TE Connectivity. “We’re proud to be associated with Andretti Autosport and Simona de Silvestro, two groundbreaking leaders in motorsports. We believe the No. 29 TE Connectivity car incorporates a potent blend of advanced engineering, one of the world’s most exciting female drivers and deep autosport history that will be exciting to watch at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this May.”
With 66 career IndyCar starts, de Silvestro, the former F1 test driver becomes Andretti’s fifth entry for its 2015 Indy 500 efforts, joining teammates 2014 Indianapolis 500 Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2013 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Carlos Muñoz and veteran racers Marco Andretti and Justin Wilson.
“I’m so excited to be representing TE Connectivity at this year’s Indy 500,” said de Silvestro. “It’s really great that they’re partnering with me in my efforts during the Indy 500, and with their advance technologies in my Honda Indy car, I will for sure have one of the best opportunities to win during the Month of May. I’m really looking forward to racing the No. 29 TE Connectivity car for the 99th Running of the Indy 500.”
In March, TE Connectivity was introduced as the Official Connectivity and Sensor Solutions Sponsor to reigning Indianapolis 500 champions Andretti Autosport. TE’s high-performance technologies including connectors, sensors and cables are in every Andretti Autosport Indy car and are trusted technology solutions in motorsport throughout the world.
“Simona did a great job for us in St. Pete and we are excited to add her as a fifth Andretti entry for the Indy 500,” said team owner Michael Andretti. “We could not have found a better partner than TE Connectivity to be the primary sponsor of the No. 29. While their experience in racing is longstanding with their connector and sensor solutions, they are new to the sponsorship team and show great passion for the sport. I look forward to a successful future with TE Connectivity as part of the Andretti family.”
De Silvestro recently competed at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg behind the wheel of the No. 25 Andretti Autosport Honda and will transition to the No. 29 beginning with the Series’ first oval test featuring the new aero kits at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 3. Official Indy 500 practice kicks off May 11 and leads to Pole Day May 17. The 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500 goes green at 12 p.m. ET on May 24 with live broadcast on ABC.
