Sebastien Bourdais Race Summary:
Two-time defending Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg champion and local resident, Sebastien Bourdais, had a non-team related car issue that ended his 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season opening race on the 1.8-mile temporary street circuit in downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Bourdais in the No. 18 Team SealMaster – Dale Coyne with Vasser-Sullivan entry, started 19th. He lost one spot on the start, but quickly began working his way through the field. He was in 16th place on lap nine when, in a strategy move, the team pitted early (the same strategy as last year when Bourdais won the race for the second consecutive time from the back of the field). Bourdais rejoined the contest, however, one lap later he suddenly pulled off the track with a problem that ended his race. Bourdais finished 24th.
Sebastien Bourdais Race Quote:
“It wasn’t the weekend the No. 18 SealMaster Honda team was looking for. A tough deal. No qualifying yesterday with a car that seemed to be pretty quick, then unfortunately, we had a non-team related issue with the car which took us out of the race. Really a shame, but we’ll regroup, keep working and see what we can do next race.”
Fast Facts:
In nine starts at St. Petersburg, Bourdais has now finished in the top-10 three times with two wins (2017 and 2018).
Bourdais is contesting his 14th NTT IndyCar Series season, fourth with Dale Coyne Racing and second with Dale Coyne Racing w/ Vasser-Sullivan.
The 2019 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was Bourdais’ 189th NTT IndyCar Series start and 10th appearance, ninth start (did not start in 2011) on the streets of St. Petersburg.
In 189 career IndyCar starts, Bourdais has won 37 races (sixth all-time) and captured 34 pole positions (seventh all time).
Bourdais is the only driver to win four consecutive IndyCar championships (2004 – 2007).
Bourdais, 40, is a native of Le Mans, France but resides in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Next Race:
Round 2 of the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season will be the INDYCAR Classic, March 21-24, at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX. The race will be broadcast live on NBCSN at 1:00 PM ET.
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