French driver fractures pelvis, hip during Indy 500 qualifying crash
INDIANAPOLIS — Sebastien Bourdais will have surgery Saturday night to repair a fractured pelvis after a fiery crash in Indianapolis 500 qualifying.
Indiana University Methodist Hospital doctors told track officials that the 38-year-old Frenchman had multiple fractures in his pelvis and a fractured right hip.
He slammed head-on into the second turn wall after completed two laps at over 231 mph, the fastest laps of the day.
As the image of the hit — the car flipping over and flames and smoke billowing out — appeared on video boards around the track, drivers were stunned as safety team members spent about 10 minutes trying to get Bourdais out of the car.
“You see big numbers during the week and people that are fast, the one that obviously stood out for me during the whole week was Bourdais,” Scott Dixon said. “Thinking of him, hoping he’s OK. It was definitely a big hit.”
Bourdais was transported by ambulance from the track to the hospital, and track officials said he never lost consciousness. Other drivers were concerned, too. Ed Carpenter, who grew up around the track, called it one of the hardest hits he’s ever seen in 500 qualifying. He said it took his breath away.
Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso also said he was hoping for a quick recovery.
The final day of qualifying for the traditional 33-car starting grid is set for Sunday and the race is May 28.