Injury update: Sebastien Bourdais discharged from hospital after Indy 500 qualifying crash

Sebastien Bourdais was discharged from the IU Health Methodist Hospital on Wednesday four days after a fiery crash during practice for the Indianapolis 500. He has now been moved to a local rehabilitation facility.

The French racing driver was making a qualifying attempt at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday when he lost control of the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda in Turn 2 and slammed into the outside SAFER barrier. His car then caught fire and rolled over before coming to a halt on the backstraight.

Bourdais was awake, alert and never lost consciousness in the crash but did have to be taken to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured pelvis and right hip. Bourdais underwent surgery on the fractured pelvis Saturday night.

Initially, it appeared that the 38-year-old would be done for the season, but orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Scheid stated that “Sebastien is progressing amazingly fast,” and that he was “in good spirits and feeling good.”

Now, Bourdais is determined to get back in the car before the end of the season.

https://twitter.com/BourdaisOnTrack/status/867478550454120448

“I’m obviously really happy to be up on my feet and feeling pretty good about being able to walk on crutches,” Bourdais said. “I’m really thankful to all the people at IU Health Methodist and the Holmatro Safety Team, everybody at INDYCAR and my team, Dale Coyne Racing, for helping me achieve that so early after the crash.

“It’s going to be a bit of a long road ahead. I still have six weeks before I can put weight on my right leg and put my foot on the ground, but after that it should be pretty smooth sailing. I’m really looking forward to the day I can get back in the car, and hopefully that will be before the end of the season. I look forward to seeing you guys at the track.”

James Davison will race in place of Bourdais at Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.