SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS RETURNS TO RACING THIS WEEKEND

Sebastien Bourdais returns to racing this weekend – Photo: LAT

Sebastien Bourdais will return to drive with Dale Coyne Racing this weekend, the team has announced.

After being given the all clear to return to racing last week, it was reported that Bourdais would hold off his racing return until Watkins Glen in September. However, today’s announcement will see him back on track at Gateway Motorsports Park this weekend.

“You have no idea how excited I am to be getting back in the car this weekend and for the remainder of the season,” said Bourdais.

“It’s been a long 14 weeks and I’ve worked very hard to get to this point.

“Following the crash, I had one goal in mind and that was to be back for Sonoma (the season finale on Sept. 17), and here I am getting back in the car with three races to go. It’s a bit unbelievable but I can’t wait to try out that new surface at Gateway this weekend!”

As planned, Esteban Gutierrez will be step aside to allow the Bourdais to get back in the car.

“It’s been a very interesting few months for me getting to race in the Verizon IndyCar Series on the street circuits, road courses and especially ovals,” said Gutierrez

“I want to thank the team and Dale Coyne for giving me this opportunity to gain this experience in view of a full-time program in the Verizon IndyCar Series next year. My goal was to learn as much as possible in order to be ready for 2018, where a new car will be introduced. This experience with the team will pay dividends next season.”

Team owner Dale Coyne was very happy to have his star driver back.

“It’s great to have Sebastien back, but I want to thank Esteban for the amazing job he did filling in for him these last few months. It wasn’t easy for him coming in and having never driven an Indy car, but he did a fantastic job, especially on the ovals. For someone that had never driven on an oval track before Iowa in July, he impressed a lot of people including myself. Hopefully we get to work with him again in the future.” said Coyne.

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