Race – One last lap and then goes… Bourdais wins!

This weekend was the last event of the 2007 season in Mexico, in Champ Car. For Sébastien Bourdais’ last race as well, it was Will Power who took pole position yesterday, ahead of the Frenchman. And during the race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico, it was Bourdais who won, leading Power by less than two seconds.

Sébastien Bourdais thus concluded his ChampCar career in style, winning 31 races, 31 pole positions in just 75 Grand Prix. The four-time world champion was only second behind Will Power halfway through the 64 laps, but two laps before their pit stops, the Frenchman seized a great opportunity at the first corner, taking the lead of the race, which he did not relinquish.

The gap then quickly widened to nearly 14 seconds, but after the safety car came into play on the 55th lap, the gap narrowed to a small margin between the two men, although it was insufficient for the Australian.

A few minutes before the start, however, we learned that the Newman drivers were penalized with only 22 seconds of Boost, instead of the 75 allowed due to the use of unauthorized tires. Bourdais therefore had less engine power but was able to maintain his lead until the checkered flag.

The main issue of the weekend remained the battle for the runner-up position in the world championship between Wilson and Doornbos, but after the latter’s clutch problem on the first lap, the match was over. Wilson eventually finished 10th.

Oriol Servia secures an impressive spot on the last step of the podium, ahead of Graham Rahal, Bourdais’ teammate.

Paul Tracy takes 5th place, ahead of Simon Pagenaud. The Frenchman could have finished on the podium considering his comeback in the race after losing 3 places at the start.

The last Frenchman present in ChampCar, Philippe, secures a 12th place. The Valence-native was only participating in his second race in the discipline this season, but he encountered a problem at the start that ruined his chances of a podium finish.

In the championship, Wilson takes second place, ahead of Doornbos.

Bourdais continues to amaze, and will be testing in Barcelona with Toro Rosso on Tuesday for his first drive as a Formula 1 driver.

Sunday – Race Result – Mexico