Bourdais in Talks with Dale Coyne Racing for 2017

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief

According to Racer.com, Sebastien Bourdais looks to be headed to Dale Coyne Racing for the 2017 Verizon Indycar Series season.

The 37-year-old Frenchman admitted to having conversation with several people due to the uncertain direction of KVSH Racing.

“I’m talking to a lot of people because Kevin (Kalkhoven, co-owner) cannot tell me what the plan is for 2017,” Bourdais said. “Dale and I have been talking since January about what we could do but I have not signed anything.”

When Bourdais returned in 2011 after a two-year sabbatical in Formula 1, it was Coyne that put him in a car. The longtime IndyCar owner didn’t commit to anything as of yet, but is considering the possibilities in play.

“We’re looking at all our options for next year,” Coyne said.

Jimmy Vasser, longtime driver now turned co-owner of KVSH Racing, doesn’t appear to have been involved in the discussions between Kalkhoven and Bourdais.

“I know nothing,” Vasser said.

Although Josef Newgarden is considered the hottest free agent on the market, losing Bourdais could be a major hit for KVSH Racing and potentially Chevrolet. The winner of four consecutive titles in Champ Car (2004-2007) with Newman/Haas Racing, Bourdais would be a welcomed addition to a struggling Honda camp that has only had two drivers in Graham Rahal and rookie Alexander Rossi reach Victory Lane.

About Joey Barnes 611 Articles
Joey Barnes is the Founder of Motorsports Tribune, an outlet that began with the goal of helping aspiring journalists break into and grow the industry. A regular on the racing scene since 2013, the journey for Joey started by covering a Grand-Am event at Circuit of The Americas in his home state of Texas. He has since primarily focused on the IndyCar Series, with appearances in the garages of NASCAR, paddocks of Formula 1, IMSA and World Endurance Championship, while also occasionally engulfing clouds of dust at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals and select Supercross rounds. With previous stops at Autoweek, IndyCar.com, Motorsport.com and RACER, among others, Joey evolved from the singular task as a freelance writer to advanced roles behind the copy desk and alongside some of the best editorial teams in the business. Recognized as a multi-time award winner by the National Motorsports Press Association, Joey currently resides in Dallas-Fort Worth with his trusty four-legged canine companion, Rocket.

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