Racing legend and five-time V8 series champion Dick Johnson has openly criticised the pair, believing that they were a, “million to one,” chance of finishing the 161-lap epic around the famous Mount Panorama circuit.
Johnson is not alone in his criticism, and this is not lost on the all-female pairing.
However, 20-year-old Gracie and former-Sauber F1 test driver de Silvestro, 27, have fired back at Johnson’s comments.
“Dick Johnson hasn’t finished heaps of races so he can’t talk,” Gracie said.
Gracie’s partner de Silvestro added to her co-driver’s sentiments.
“Because the attention is on us, if we don’t finish it would be a shame,” de Silvestro said.
“There are others who won’t either, but I think we will prove (the critics) wrong.”