Bourdais released from hospital (Update)
Bourdais sustained multiple pelvic fractures and a fractured right hip when his No. 18 GEICO Honda crashed into the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2 on the third lap of his qualifications attempt Saturday. The Dale Coyne Racing driver underwent successful surgery that evening at IU Health Methodist Hospital.
"Sebastien is progressing amazingly fast for having pelvis and hip fractures, and considering the severity of the crash," said orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Scheid, an INDYCAR medical consultant. "He is walking with crutches, in good spirits and feeling good.
"We expect the fractures to heal in around eight weeks and he should be able to start putting weight on the right leg then. Until that time, he can work on rehabilitating his upper body, core strength and range of motion in the hip."
Bourdais, the 38-year-old four-time Indy car champion, expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in his care from the time of the incident.
"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," he added. "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."
Updates on Bourdais' condition will be released when available.
05/24/17 Sebastien Bourdais only posted just yesterday that he was "unable to go for a run" — his spirit and humor clearly not affected despite sustaining multiple pelvic fractures and a fractured right hip in his crash during qualifying for the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil in the No. 18 GEICO Honda on Saturday.
On Thursday, his post revealed even better news: he's been released from IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, and will be set to fly home soon to Florida for his rehabilitation.
Bourdais' place in the race at Dale Coyne Racing will be taken by James Davison, but judging by this first round of leaving, the Frenchman is keen to begin the recovery process as quick as humanly possible.
I walked out of the hospital today. On to rehab now!