INDYCAR: Sebastien Bourdais undergo surgery after 230 mph qualifying crash
Sebastien Bourdais’ quest for Indy 500 glory abruptly ended after a violent crash exiting turn one. Bourdais will undergo surgery after being diagnosed with a fractured pelvis and right hip (via IndyCar).
Fighting for the fastest four-lap average at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana became an afterthought Saturday after Dale Coyne Racing driver Sebastien Bourdais crashed at speeds of 230 mph, resulting Bourdais being transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital.
Bourdais—one of the favorites to advance into the Fast Nine Sunday—was on pace of being the fastest qualifier with two laps running over 231 mph (231.472 and 231.534 mph respectively) until his No. 18 Geico Honda snapped loose into the turn one wall.
Bourdais attempted to correct the car and hit the wall at full speed, resulting his car doing a half-flip until it landed right-side up and made a complete stop.
The session was stopped for nearly 30 minutes as the Holmatro Safety Team arrived at the scene of the accident. Bourdais was taken to the ambulance for further evaluations.
Per IndyCar, they’ve reported Bourdais awake and alert—more importantly—never lost consciousness.
“Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, INDYCAR Medical Director: Sebastien Bourdais is awake and alert and never lost consciousness. He is being transported by ground to IU Health Methodist Hospital for further evaluation.”
Hours later, IndyCar made an update on Bourdais.
MEDICAL UPDATE: Verizon IndyCar Series driver Sebastien Bourdais was diagnosed with multiple fractures to his pelvis and a fracture to his right hip following an incident today while attempting to qualify for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. According to INDYCAR Medical Director Dr. Geoffrey Billows, Bourdais will undergo surgery on his pelvis this evening at IU Health Methodist Hospital. Bourdais was on the third lap of his qualification run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when his Dale Coyne Racing No. 18 GEICO Honda made hard contact with the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier. Statement from team owner Dale Coyne: “Sebastien is in good hands here at IU Methodist Hospital with the staff and now we just wait for him to recover.”
RACER Magazine writer Robin Miller said Bourdais' surgery was successful and according to a representative of Dale Coyne Racing, likely to miss the rest of the season.
The next day, IndyCar reported Bourdais will be out for the season. Dale Coyne Racing announced James Davison as his replacement for the Indianapolis 500 May 28.
Bourdais won the season opener at St. Petersburg in March and ran the fastest lap of the month Friday at 233.116 mph.
Ed Carpenter had the fastest four-lap average 230.468 mph and he and eight others will compete for the pole Sunday.
More updates to come as soon as it becomes available.
