Single seat
Contrasting results for Bourdais and Pagenaud in Austin
The French ofIndyCar experienced varying fortunes for the first time at the Circuit of the Americas (Cota) in Austin (Texas). Sebastian Bourdais (Dale Coyne Racing), in difficulty after a 17th time in qualifying, raised the bar by finishing fifth.
« It's great to be in the top 5 after the weekend we had, explains Le Manceau. We ran a solid strategy and did a good job in the pits. It was a very static test, not much happened. »
Second @IndyCar race of the year at @COTA with our @SealMasterNet @HondaRacing_HPD 18. Let’s go! Thanks @marshallpruett pic.twitter.com/U7oWpM2soM
— Sébastien Bourdais (@BourdaisOnTrack) March 22, 2019
It was especially during the last laps that the four-time Champ Car champion moved up the hierarchy. “Towards the end, some drivers took gambles. I had to stop in the pits and then drive fast. We were no longer very far from the leading men. Then the yellow flag was waved when we were in the pits. »
Sébastien Bourdais recognizes it, he had a big stroke of luck. « You can't be luckier. I feel sorry for the leaders because they really didn't deserve this, but we didn't deserve the damage in St. Petersburg either. (withdrawal from the start of the test), so I think things have balanced out. »
his compatriot simon pagenaud (Penske) had less luck. The 2016 IndyCar champion has no hesitation in classifying the second round of the 2019 season as “a weekend without”. Relegated to 22nd place on the starting grid, Poitevin planned an aggressive strategy.
COTA was indeed a weekend without! However, largely due to external factors over which we have no control! I am extremely satisfied with our personal performance, our speed, our strategies and pit stops. pic.twitter.com/oLlxRWBOHj
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) March 24, 2019
« We were on our way to making this four-stop tactic work with potentially a top 5 or 6 finish when the yellow flag came out. We did a lot of overtaking, unfortunately in the final phase I had to come out with the tires (on the sides) red in 16th position, He explains.
“At the restart, a collision with Alexander Red (Andretti) We flattened a tire to finish 19th. I am now focused on Barber (Alabama, April 7) which is a circuit that I love. » Simon Pagenaud won the 2016 edition on this hilly track.
Discover the report of the IndyCar in Austin in issue 2209 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms and from this Wednesday on newsstands.
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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