Rate this article:
- http://www.speedtv.com/video/popup/',1000,804,0);">
Victory by Design: Jaquar DVD
This brand new show will give the Jaguar enthusiast a real chance to appreciate the beauty and power of the Jaguar heritage.
Our Price: $24.95
"Hot Rod Pinups II"
A Sequel to his 2005 bestseller Hot Rod Pin-ups, ace photographer David Perry offers an all-new collection of images.
Our Price: $35.00
Speed Addicts: Grand Prix Racing
Speed Addicts is the complete and definitive illustrated book of grand prix motor racing, told in the form of a human story.
Our Price: $34.99 ON SALE!
Written by:
Adam Cooper
RACER Magazine http://www.racer.com/speedtv
RACER Magazine http://www.racer.com/speedtv
05/21/2008 - 11:39 AM
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Bourdais carries a lot of local fans' high hopes at Monaco this weekend. (LAT photo) ยป More Photos
Over the last few year times have been tough for French fans. After the retirement of Olivier Panis the country was without a home hero to support, although Frank Montagny had a few outings with Super Aguri in the middle of 2006.
But now France finally has a full-time grand prix driver once again, and a pretty successful one as well. It took him longer than expected, but Sebastien Bourdais has finally made it to the top level this season, having been headhunted from America by Scuderia Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger.
In reality, Bourdais could have been there for four or five seasons already, had the breaks gone his way. After he won the 2002 FIA F3000 title he was more than qualified to move straight into F1. First Arrows, the team he’d been talking to, closed down. And then things didn’t work out with Renault after he’d done well in testing.
Instead he crossed the Atlantic to join the Champ Car series. He won the title in only his second season, and went on to win it an impressive three more times. He built a new life for himself, and it seemed that the longer he stayed
He got off to a great start in Australia, running with the big guys after getting a break on strategy, and eventually claiming seventh place despite retiring before the end. It’s been tougher since then, but he’s shown well against teammate Sebastian Vettel, and it’s easy to forget that this is still his first season.
“Obviously we knew that we were not going to be contending for wins,” he says. “We’ve had our ups and downs, and so far it’s going quite well. We’re doing the best we can with what we have. We hope to make a significant step in terms of pace with the new car.
“I’m very pleased I’m here. It’s very good to finally make it, but in the meantime now we’ve passed the excitement of just being here, now we want to be competitive.”
Page 1 of 3
View All Comments
