ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ TO SUB FOR BOURDAIS

Former Formula 1 driver Esteban Gutierrez to replace Sebastien Bourdais – Photo: LAT

Former Formula 1 driver Esteban Gutierrez will compete in the Indycar Detroit Grand Prix this weekend for Dale Coyne Racing.

Esteban Gutierrez joined Formula E in 2017 – Photo: LAT

He will replace the recovering Sebastien Bourdais, who suffered hip and Pelvis fractures in an accident during the lead up to the Indy 500.

This year, Gutierrez has been competing in the Formula E category with Techeetah, replacing Ma Qing Hua at the fourth round in Mexico. The ex-Sauber and Haas driver is looking forward to getting experience in another type of open-wheel race car.

“I’m very grateful to join Dale Coyne Racing, a highly competitive team,” Gutierrez said. “When Dale Coyne called me, I had no doubt that this would be a great opportunity for me to get experience in the Verizon IndyCar Series. My target is to learn as quickly as possible.

“Indycar is a very challenging series for drivers, but I feel ready to take this chance.”

“I’m excited about my debut races at the Detroit Grand Prix and I cannot wait to start working with the team, engineers and Honda, as well as driving a Dallara car again,” Gutierrez continued. “I have very good memories of my successful GP3 and GP2 series seasons with the Dallara cars and I worked very well with them at Haas F1 team. I will do my best for Dale Coyne Racing, Honda and all the Mexican fans.”

Esteban Gutierrez joined Formula E in 2017 – Photo: LAT

Team Owner Dale Coyne, is expecting Gutierrez to be right on the pace despite having to learn the Indycar package.

“We’re going to miss having Sebastien in the No. 18 car, but we’re very happy with our choice of a replacement for him this weekend,” said Coyne. “Esteban has a great open-wheel racing background, especially with his time in Formula One and the GP2 series. I think he’ll do well in an Indy car despite the learning curve and we all look forward to seeing what he’ll do this weekend in Detroit.”

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