Sébastien Bourdais joins Walkinshaw Racing for Enduro Cup
22 APR |
Team 18 Motorsport News
Sébastien Bourdais joins Walkinshaw Racing for Enduro Cup
The former Formula One pilot will pair up with Lee Holdsworth for the team’s on-track assault at this year’s Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600.
Bourdais returns to Australia as the only driver to have won an IndyCar race at the Surfers Paradise street circuit more than once, taking victory in 2005 and 2007.
He also became a two-time V8 Supercar event winner, racing as an ‘international’ at the Gold Coast 600.
“After the great successes I enjoyed with Holden and Adrian (Burgess) in 2011 & 2012, it is great to come back to V8 Supercars,” Bourdais said.
“Thanks to Charlie Schwerkolt and Walkinshaw Racing, I will check off my bucket list races I have been wanting to compete in for a while.
“I am really excited and looking forward to discover Sandown and Bathurst, and to return to Surfers in Lee’s car.
“I met him a few years back, he is a great guy, a terrific driver and I wish him and the team all the best for the season until I get the chance to share his car.”
Holdsworth looks forward to teaming up with the Frenchman.
"I couldn't be happier having Sébastien join us for this year's Enduro Cup,” he said.
“A good endurance series can make or break your Championship so it's important to give yourself the best opportunity, having Sébastien puts us in a really strong position.
"It's a bonus he's driven these cars in the past and been successful.
“Adrian worked with Sébastien last time he drove a V8 and was seriously impressed.”
Bourdais will have his first taste of the #18 Walkinshaw VF Commodore at the team’s test day, held at Winton Motor Raceway, early September.
"Obviously he has to learn Sandown and Bathurst but with his experience I don't think it will take him long,” Holdsworth said.
“If his pace at the Gold Coast is anything to go by, I'm confident we'll be mixing it up the front for the enduros."
Bourdais’ impressive resume and results on the streets of Surfers Paradise made him the ideal candidate for an endurance seat.
Walkinshaw Racing’s Managing Director Adrian Burgess is excited to pair Bourdais with Holdsworth. Burgess a major pulling force for his return to the Series.
“Sébastien is a great guy and does what is required of him,” Burgess said.
“He is very quick and more than capable of getting the job done.
“I have no doubt he will be able to jump in and be competitive straight away, and will make a good package with Lee.”
Bourdais currently races for KV Racing Technology in the Verizon IndyCar Series in North America.
The PIRTEK Enduro Cup kicks off with the Wilson Security Sandown 500, September 11-13. |
|
|
