Open-Wheels

Sebastien received his first bucket-seat, behind the wheel of a Kart, in 1989. The results were not long in coming and did not make a liar out of Patrick: Champion of the Maine Bretagne league in 1991, 4th in the France Cadets Championship in 1992, Sebastien was climbing steadily the steps of the national hierarchy. In 1995 Sebastien had the first start of his career in a single-seater championship, Formula Campus.

The following year, Sebastien took part in the Formula Renault French Championship, where he placed seventh. That year also saw him dominate the 24 hours of Le Mans in Karting. 2nd in the same single-seater championship in 1997, he wrapped up his first F3 chapter in France (1998) with the trophy for best newcomer, and to the tune of five wins. The adage, “a year to learn, a year to win,” held true with the 1999 title, the highest rated in the national territory.

At the turn of the millennium, Sebastien logically crossed the threshold intoF3000, his first international championship, where he became champion in 2002. The American dream came completely true. By finding the confidence of the best team in the Champ Car championship, Newman/Haas, Sebastien gave free rein to his imagination. To the point of erasing from the books the oldest records in the discipline. By taking his 4th title in a row in 2007, Sebastien became the first driver in the History of the discipline to monopolize the titles 4 years in a row. In 2008 and 2009, Sebastian raced in Formula One with mixed results.

Currently, he is racing for Dragon Racing alongside teammate Katherine Legge.

You can follow Sebastian on twitter: @BourdaisOnTrack

1. If you weren’t a racing driver, what would be your dream job?

Racing is my dream job and there is nothing else that would provide me as much excitement, satisfaction and fun. But if I had not been able to be a race car driver, I would have continued my engineering (computer science) studies and tried to get involved in racing one way or another.

2. What would you list as your biggest accomplishment to date?

Winning the four ChampCar championships in a row.

3. If you could win one race that you haven’t won yet, which race would it be, and why?

That would have to be the 24h of Le Mans, but Indy 500 isn’t far behind. Having finished three times second at my home race, I can’t imagine what I would feel like, but that would be really big for me and in Le Mans as well.

4. Most racing drivers have an idol or a mentor, who is yours and how have they encouraged you in your career?

It was Ayrton Senna. He made F1 racing so intense and magical. I was around 10 years old and I remember watching him with my kids eyes, and that was unforgettable.

5. Other than you, who is the most talented driver in the series you currently race in, and what is it about them that makes them special?

I have a lot of respect for most of the drivers in IndyCar. I don’t think the field has ever been that dense, and to prove it you only need to take a look at the qualifying results every weekend. To make it into the Fast 6 is a proper achievement!

We will work to get each and every driver we can to answer the same set of 5 questions. Our ultimate goal is to have current, past, and future stars of motorsports participate. If there is a driver you would like to see answer the 5 Questions, you can submit your request or even questions of your own on twitter @open_wheels.