Sebastien Bourdais joins Starworks at this weekend's Grand-Am six-hour race

[Buckeye Nation]

Running with former Champ Car foe Ryan Dalziel

http://www.motorsport.com/grandam/ne...-watkins-glen/

[Jsieczka]

Great to have another driver at the event, I'm definitely excited to be going there this weekend.

[Mikemat5150]

Starworks is really trying to up their game. A P2 victory at Le Mans and they're really going for the Grand Am championship. Ryan Dalziel is a great driver too.

[eastofeastside]

Don't understand why he didn't drive for Toyota at Le Mans this year? Is that a possibility for next year?

[ambig88]

Don't understand why he didn't drive for Toyota at Le Mans this year? Is that a possibility for next year?

My guess is before Indy he was committed to the full IndyCar season. After Indy, it was a little late to drive for a factory team, as they generally have drivers locked up well ahead of Le Mans.

[Hitokiri]

Don't understand why he didn't drive for Toyota at Le Mans this year? Is that a possibility for next year?

If you look at Bourdais' past history at Le Mans he has driven for Larbre, Pescarolo, and Peugeot - all French teams. It could be because of his French connection but I think he wants to win at Le Mans with a French team. Of course when a driver gets older and they have yet to win the race that means the most in their life, that's when you start to look for the best option which Toyota might be going into the future.

I wouldn't be surprised if Toyota had a full line up already as well.

[SteveK51]

I think Sebastien was linked with Peugeot into the early portion of the year and there was no indication from Toyota of them entering two cars. When Peugeot fell thru, he jumped in with Pescarolo, his countryman and past team owner going back to 2000. It was only later that Toyota added a second entry at the request of the ACO.

On the one hand, it would certainly seem that Bourdais is not the type to ask out of one deal to jump into another, as evidenced by his inability to run Milwaukee. As well, it could be that Toyota was seeking drivers who could test with them, a task which he would not have had time for given the Indycar schedule.

[eastofeastside]

thanks for the explanations, makes sense.

I wonder if he will be eventually faced with a situation where he has to chose between a Toyota factory Le Mans drive and an Indycar ride, as in, next year. Toyota may want him since he is a French man and, of course, highly talented. Toyota is know to pay high dollar for the drivers they want... hope it doesn't turn into Indycar's loss.

[Joboo]

Bonjour,

Ne misez pas trop sur Toyota, dans le journal sportif français Seb a repondu a une interview en disant qu'il avait téléphoné chez Porsche, cette marque ne commencerait pas a courrir tout de suite, donc une voiture a developper l'année prochaine ce qui lui permettrait de faire la saison Indy.
Héhé
A+

Hello do not rely too much on Toyota, in the sports newspaper French Seb responded has an interview saying he had telephoned in Porsche, this brand does not begin a run immediately, so a car has develop next year which would allow to season Indy.
Hehe

[eastofeastside]

Bonjour,

Ne misez pas trop sur Toyota, dans le journal sportif français Seb a repondu a une interview en disant qu'il avait téléphoné chez Porsche, cette marque ne commencerait pas a courrir tout de suite, donc une voiture a developper l'année prochaine ce qui lui permettrait de faire la saison Indy.
Héhé
A+

Hello do not rely too much on Toyota, in the sports newspaper French Seb responded has an interview saying he had telephoned in Porsche, this brand does not begin a run immediately, so a car has develop next year which would allow to season Indy.
Hehe

Interesting!

Conspiracy time... Isn't Penske supposed to have some connection with Porsche's Le Mans effort?

That would be pretty wild if there was some kind of deal where he drove for Roger in Indycar with special accommodations to do endurance races and Le Mans.

thanks, keep us posted!

[JamesC2123]

Cool to see him continue to show that he's a true racer and will drive anything, anywhere. I know some people have a different impression of his commitment, but running all over the globe in different cars, series, teams, etc. easily silences those. I'll be rooting for him from the track this weekend.

[Danske]

Not entirely out of the question for Bourdais to win this one...

[Jakester]

Third...not bad at all.
Joao made a beeeuuuutiful pass late on Gurney for the win.

[Racing Steward]

Bourdais did a helluva job for Starworks today. I was shocked Dalziel wasnt in for the final 1-2 hours, shows how much confidence the team had in Sebastien. Those Chevy's were damn good. Barbosa made as good of a pass for the lead as ive seen in awhile. Too bad Joao never got a shot in Indycars. He'd have been good.

[Foch Corner]

Does Seb can run others rounds by the end of the season ?
There is only one date clash with indycar.

[Danske]

Does Seb can run others rounds by the end of the season ?
There is only one date clash with indycar.

He was at the Glen as the extra third driver for the longer race. There aren't any more long races in the Grand-Am schedule, so not likely.

[Foch Corner]

Thank you

[Danske]

Whoops. Then they make a liar out of me:
Bourdais Rejoins Starworks Lineup for NAEC Finale at Indy
He's bumping Lucas Luhr out of the seat.