Bourdais will race in the two fastest open and closed-wheel series on the planet once again in 2009. (LAT Photographic)
Sebastien Bourdais will buck the trend in 2009 by combining his formula one campaign with the Le Mans 24 hour race.
The French sport daily L'Equipe said the 29-year-old, who was confirmed for this season by the Red Bull-owned team Toro Rosso just last Friday, is to contest the world famous event in mid-June for Peugeot.
"I will be with Peugeot on Monday to speak at a press conference," Bourdais confirmed. "If I participate, it will be to win."
Le Mans-born Bourdais, who has raced the 24-hour event six times - first as a 20-year-old in 1999 - last contested Le Mans for Peugeot in 2007 when a full-time Champ Car driver, and finished second.
He admitted that the 2009 pre-season has been among the most difficult of his entire career, with Toro Rosso leaning towards signing the well-financed Takuma Sato.
"The driver choice was firstly all about finding sponsors, then less so," Bourdais told L'Equipe.
"In the beginning the budget dropped significantly, but then the cost saving measures for 2009 were introduced that will save the Red Bull teams $100 million.
"The cards were shuffling constantly until the situation we arrive at now. So, for me, it did not turn out badly. I tried not to take it personally and knew that it was linked to the economics.
"(Manager) Nicolas Todt tried in every way to secure partners but it didn't go the way he wanted because of the difficult economic environment.
"There were times when it was really difficult, but at least on a sporting level I knew the team had a real desire to stay with continuity for a second season (with me)."
