Simona De Silvestro (78), of Switzerland, leads Marco Andretti (26) into a turn during IndyCar testing at Barber Motorsports Park on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010, near Birmingham, Ala

The Izod IndyCar Series opener is less than two weeks away, and WISH-TV has learned there will be another new driver on the grid.Indianapolis-based HVM Racing will campaign Swiss rookie Simona de Silvestro in the 2010 season.

De Silvestro has five career wins in the Atlantic Series, finishing 3rd in the championship in 2009.

The Swiss driver tested with HVM at last week’s preseason open test at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.

De Silvestro will be the third female driver entered at the Izod IndyCar Series opener in Brazil, joining full-time driver Danica Patrick, and Brazil’s Ana Beatriz, who is making her IndyCar debut in her home country.