Racing Home: Bourdais returns to F1 with Toro Rosso, Le Mans & Sebring with Peugeot
With fellow Red Bull protégé Scott Speed back in stock cars and the USF1 initiative still at least a year away, the closest Americans have to representation in Formula One is Sebastien Bourdais. Sure, he's French, but after dominating Champ Cars for several years on this side of the Atlantic we can almost claim him as our own. Having won four successive titles in Champ Cars, Bourdais had nothing left to prove in the United States and signed a European management contract with Nicolas Todt, who pulled some family connections and signed Bourdais to drive at Le Mans with Peugeot (whose racing department was run by his father Jean Todt before he moved to Ferrari) and then in Formula One with Scuderia Toro Rosso (whose engines are supplied by Ferrari).
After a disappointing debut season, Bourdais' future in F1 remained in doubt as his overshadowing team-mate Sebastian Vettel was called up to the Red Bull team and STR refused to confirm who would drive for them this coming season, but he's now been confirmed in the game of musical Sebastians to drive alongside newcomer Buemi. Bourdais, who was actually born in Le Mans, will have a lot on his hands to prove his mettle in F1 this season, but if that weren't enough, the French driver is stepping up his activities with Peugeot as well. Not only will he be driving the new 908 HDi at his famous home race, but he'll be making the trip back over to American shores to drive at Sebring as well. We'll look forward to watching our Franco-American homeboy take 'em all on this season.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Cameron 5:01PM (2/10/2009)
Really no comments yet? This should be a "caption this picture" post.
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jc 5:12PM (2/10/2009)
I love hugs.
awww
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AZZO45b 9:23PM (2/10/2009)
Kitko: Bourdais ran with Peugeot last year as well... so technically your admiration is one year late! Its picky but true!
What has prevented more F1 divers from attempting LeMans & F1 was Monaco. That GP conflicted with LeMans for years. However, Ralf Schumacher (Lark McLaren?) & Eddie Irvine (Toyota) might have been the last ones to pull a double in F1 & sports cars. They were both early in their F1 careers & with lowerlevel teams
Kitko 5:25PM (2/10/2009)
OK, here's a post. :-)
Bourdais will be the first F1 driver since, well, I can't remember who was the last one, who will actually compete in other top races during the full F1 season while having a full time racing seat.
It used to be common in the past, but I think that practice stopped after one very promising German F1 driver was killed in the 80s when he went to race in some kind of endurance race in Spa. Sorry, don't have time to look it up.
Test and back-up drivers, such as Luca Badoer or Alex Wurz do not count, go-kart and likes neither.
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Tom Winch 7:00PM (2/10/2009)
Stefan Bellof was killed at the Spa 1000 km race in 1985. He drove for Tyrrell in F1
AZZO45b 9:26PM (2/10/2009)
Kitko: I'm blind :) :) & hit the wrong "reply button"... my response is above you^^
Brad 6:09PM (2/10/2009)
Good for him. I thought he did enough last year to keep his seat. If the Red Bull senior team hasn't improved from last year to this year then Bourdais could find himself outshining Vettel and Webber.
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Jorge 6:38PM (2/10/2009)
that hug looks so gay, or are they dancing a slow one???
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AZZO45b 9:34PM (2/10/2009)
Lets follow you around all day Jorge... photograph your every move & see how "gay" you look in many of the images.
Jorge 10:18AM (2/11/2009)
no problem, follow me...
AZZO45b 10:35AM (2/11/2009)
In your manly-man, green VW Beetle? No problem.
Jorge 7:16PM (2/12/2009)
Yes, and I can even put a flower for you in the dashboard, hahahaha
Tom Winch 6:58PM (2/10/2009)
Alright Seebass! Going old school, driving endurance sports car races, like past F1 greats Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, Bruce McLaren, Hill (Phil & Graham), Derek Bell, Dan Gurney, Carroll Shelby, et al. I wish him well this season. I'd love to see a 4 time Champ Car champion show he can win in F1.
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slicecom 8:18PM (2/10/2009)
Me too... last year... and unlike his teammate, he didn't. Not even close.
AZZO45b 9:30PM (2/10/2009)
slice: Not close? The same race his teammate won... Bourdais Q'd 4th & had software issues with his Toro Rosso... making him stall on grid.
Learning some of the tracks & some bad luck... hopefully 2009 is more kind.
Groagun 9:52PM (2/10/2009)
I think this is great news. I've always liked him and respected how he deals with the sport in general. I can see him honestly winning a race this year and more than likely taking the 24 hour.
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Dr. Nick 9:10AM (2/11/2009)
Zeee Gay? Or just French? You decide!
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manisasad 1:09PM (2/25/2009)
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