Sebastien Bourdais was on pace for P1 during Day 1 Qualifying for the Indianapolis 500. Lapping his first two qualifying laps in the 38s range and topping out in advance of 231 mph. Then it happened.
Bourdais carried too much speed and looked to lose control of the rear, mid-entry into T2 on has third lap, and hit the T2 wall hard. The impact saw the Frenchman’s #18 car immediately spark in flames and the force of impact invert the car with driver clearly seen bracing. The car righted itself and came to a skidding stop, facing the track on the straight.
Twitter: REPLAY: @BourdaisOnTrack makes heavy contact with the turn 2 wall. #INDYCAR #Indy500 https://t.co/z787DqkPwu (@IndyCar)
Track officials worked quickly to extract Bourdais, within 10 minutes the IndyCar Series veteran was in ambulance for Indiana University Methodist Hospital. He was reported to be alert and awake during the journey. A positive sign.
Twitter: MEDICAL UPDATE: @BourdaisOnTrack #Indy500 #INDYCAR https://t.co/KuMSBlluw9 (@IndyCar)
Team owner Dale Coyne said in a statement that Bourdais is in “good hands”.
“Sebastien is in good hands here at IU Methodist Hospital with the staff and now we just wait for him to recover.”
Doctors diagnosed Bourdais with multiple fractures to his pelvis and right hip. He is scheduled to have surgery late Saturday, according to a USA Today report.
Driver and team reaction following the crash was somber.
Top qualifier of the day, Ed Carpenter was in disbelief, “It takes your breath away. It’s one of the biggest single-car qualifying crashes I’ve seen around here.”
Reigning Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi, who qualified P5 after Bourdais was on his way to hospital and the track cleared; sent well wishes to Bourdais and his family, “Just your thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” he said. “It’s not about you at that point. It’s about him.”
“Horrified,” a Dale Coyne Racing team member said. “Everyone is guarded, waiting to see what happens.”
