A certain four-time Champ/CART champion might be available for hire.
Toro Rosso teammate says Sebastien Bourdais is outIt's doubtful any IndyCar team has a bucketful of money laying around to put the Frenchman in a seat this year, but stranger things have happened. Speculate wildly amongst yourselves if you must.
NUERBURGRING, Germany (AP) — Sebastien Bourdais' stint with Toro Rosso is over, according to teammate Jaime Alguersuari.
"He's a very good driver," said Alguersuari, a 19-year-old Spanish reserve driver. "But it looks like this year he hasn't given it his all like he's supposed to give. I sincerely believe that Red Bull's decision is just, but it's never good to see someone taken off the team halfway through the season."
Spanish media reported that Alguersuari, who was promoted to reserve driver in time for the German race, would replace Bourdais at the Hungarian GP on July 26.
(MORE from AP)
Unless his daddy has more money than Bobby D's, there's no way he's getting a ride.
I hope Tom G. is right. Let him stay over on that side of the pond. I'd rather not have that whiney frenchman back in the States.
On the other hand, I'd like to see him come over here and watch him get his a** kicked on the ovals.
Anon,
You're overlooking the fact that Champ DID run ovals at one point, and Seabass did good on them, including a win at Milwaukee. Personally I want him back because regardless of whether or not he brings money the man clearly can drive, and it'd be nice having him to root against.
Ridebuyers aren't bad to have IF they still kick ass in the car.
IRL does need a "Jean Girard" to get the people fired up. HOWEVER, as PT said, SeaBass should not have a ride before Paul does...that'd be entirely criminal.
Wasn't Bobby D. money only cover him till Kentucky? Anyway I doubt SeaBass gets a NHL ride this year, but unless Peugeot sports cars program next year is much larger I very much doubt Doornbos will be a NHL driver in 2010.
I don't see Seabass buying a ride any more than PT would. I also don't think either of them should drive for peanuts but if Seabass gets a ride full time before PT, it is because he's has more recent accomplishments. I'd love to see him in the IRL. It would really step things up a notch.
I want to see him in IndyCar too. He belongs there, but he's not going to drive for free and the only teams that can afford him are Penske, Ganassi, AGR, and Newman-Haas. Penske and Ganassi are full and AGR doesn't make the best hiring decisions ever, although he could be hired next season if Danica leaves or if they manage to get sponsorship after Mutoh's Formula Dream money bolts. That leaves N/H/L. Would they fire Doornbos mid-season for Bourdais given the past experience? I can see that. Doornbos should be doing much better than he is. I'm really shocked Rahal's been kicking his butt. Yes, they're not too far apart in points, but Rahal has been WAY stronger in the races. I guess it's the fact that Rahal remained active throughout 2008 that gave him an edge. I would expect N/H/L to fire Doornbos and hire Bourdais, but probably not midseason. I could also see one of the supposedly entering teams from ALMS like Highcroft or de Ferran hiring him, but I'm having trouble seeing him sign other places as good as he is.
I expect he'll ultimately be in ALMS or ELMS racing sports cars for most of the rest of his career. Not that he's not worthy of an IndyCar ride (he's as talented as everyone in the field) but I don't see any established team firing their current driver for him, or any Champ Car team with enough money besides N/H/L. The same problem that many other ex-Champ Car drivers have faced...and why Tracy, Servia, Junqueira, Doornbos, Power, etc... haven't always had full-time rides even though they're deserving.)
Tom G:
Bourdais' "Daddy" could be Red Bull. His contract is still valid & the energy drink maker might be willing to defer his contract into support in a new series.
I believe this happened before with another contracted Red Bull driver...
Bourdais instantly becomes the best driver available. I bet there's a lot of teams that would drop their current driver for him in a heartbeat.
Name a rideless driver that is better. And PT doesn't count because he's 40.
Sorry Demond... Where is the "40 year olds suck for OW" rule in the IRL rulebook?
I love PT.
But his age is a factor when teams look at him. Hell, F1 is about to start a 19 year old to replace Seabass.
Yes Demond... because they are PRAYING this 19 year old F3 grad is the next Sebastian Vettel... & personally I hope they gag on this decision!!!
Just for the record I was NOT a Bourdais fan... his CART/ CCWS dominance came in weak fields (JMO) However Toro Rosso has a "Blame-the-Driver" gutless management style & its being used on Sebastian. :( :(
One day Dietrich Mateschitz will wake up & realize he has gutless turds running his Toro Rosso team (just watching RedBull F1 do it properly will hopefully help this... :) :) :) )
PT deserves a ride more, but who said fairness counted for anything in racing? Bourdais brings a ton of success and experience. I believe he was running fifth as a rookie at Indy in 2005, when he crashed on lap 198 while trying to pass Danica.
He may not drive here this year, but I look for him to replace Bobby D at NHL next year.
HA! I agree with AZZO45! What's Red Bull-Sh*t in Italian? Crappo Toro Rosso?
Count me in as wanting Bourdais back on this side of the Atlantic. At first I thought Id root against him, but I would even pull for him since so many people seem to hate him. He brings more talent into the league, something showcased the first half of every race when half the field wrecks out every week.
The IRL needs talent, credibility, and money. Bourdais can supply the first two for sure. Red Bull for the third? Perhaps future F1 dropout Nelson Piquet Jr can be a teamate?
Steve K
Glendale, AZ
Well, I've read that F1 teams aren't as willing to adapt their cars to their drivers style of driving. Maybe I read wrong or maybe that's just describing a team like Toro Rosso not working with Bourdais. But I'm surprised that he hasn't done better in F1. I would like to see him in IndyCar because as much as people need their favorites to root for, villains to boo are just as needed.