Formula 1 - New Guy On The Grid – Sebastien Bourdais

August 16th, 2007

Formula 1 - New Guy On The Grid – Sebastien Bourdais

Only a week ago Toro Rosso confirmed Sebastien Bourdais as their driver for 2008 season. He will be new to F1, but definitely not a racing rookie. His 3 Champ Cars titles (and 4th still possible this year) are impressive.

Photo: www.sebastien-bourdais.com

Let’s see how will his career in F1 turn out. Several winners of CART Championship (Champ Cars’ predecessor) moved to F1 in recent years.

Jacques Villeneuve (CART Champion in 1995) went on to win F1 title in 1997. Juan Pablo Montoya (CART Champion in 1999) finished 3rd in F1 in 2002 and 2003 and scored 7 race wins during his F1 career. Cristiano da Matta (CART Champion in 2002) moved to F1 in 2003 with Toyota. His F1 career never picked up. After loosing his race seat in the middle of the 2004 season he returned to North America in 2005 to race in Champ Cars.

Here is Bourdais’ brief biography for those, who may not be too familiar with him. After all, he spent last few years in the USA, a bit off the radar of many F1 fans.

Born on February 28, 1979, Le Mans, France
1989
gets his first go-kart

1991
Maine-Bretagne League Champion
7th at the minime France Championship

1992
4th at the cadet France championship

1993
League champion

1995
9th in the Formula Campus Championship

1996
7th in the Formula Renault Championship
Wins the Go-Kart 24 hours on the Alain Prost track in Le Mans

1997
2nd in the Formula Renault Championship (mechanical failures and incidents in the last 3 races cost him the title)

1998
6th in the Formula 3 championship, wins the Rookie of the Year

1999
wins the Formula 3 title (8 race victories)
33rd (DNF) in 24 hours LeMans (Porsche 911, Larbre Competition)

2000
4th in 24 hours LeMans (with Pescarolo)
9th in Formula 3000 Championship (F.Alonso finished 4th, Mark Webber 3rd)

2001
4th in Formula 3000 Championship (1st race win in Silverstone)
13th in 24 hours LeMans (with Pescarolo)

2002
10th in 24 hours LeMans (with Pescarolo)
Formula 3000 Champion (3 race wins, 6 poles, 5 podiums)
Tests for Arrows F1 team in Valencia, offered race seat for 2003 (Arrows goes bankrupt later in 2002)
Tests for Renault F1 team in Jerez

2003
4th in Champ Car Worldseries with Newman-Hass Racing Team (3 race wins, 5 poles), awarded Rookie Of The Year title

2004
29th (DNF) in 24 hours LeMans again
Champ Car Worldseries Champion with Newman-Hass Racing Team (7 race wins, 8 poles)

2005
Champ Car Worldseries Champion with Newman-Hass Racing Team (6 race wins, 4 poles)

2006
Champ Car Worldseries Champion with Newman-Hass Racing Team (7 race wins, 7 poles)

2007
F1 test for Scuderia Toro Rosso
Champ Car Worldseries Championship leader with Newman-Hass Racing Team
2nd place in 24 hours LeMans with Team Peugeot Total
Signed by Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 for 2008 season - First French driver in F1 since Olivier Panis.