Verizon IndyCar Series driver Sebastien Bourdais, injured in a crash May 20 during a qualifying attempt for the 101st Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, was discharged from IU Health Methodist Hospital on Wednesday and has been moved to a local rehabilitation facility.
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.
I'm not going to go for a run tomorrow, but I'm up!
Thank you all for your support! pic.twitter.com/1u5OtqdbBg— Sébastien Bourdais (@BourdaisOnTrack) May 22, 2017
“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.”
So great to see my crew! @DaleCoyneRacing pic.twitter.com/DZC5Ko1Ew1
— Sébastien Bourdais (@BourdaisOnTrack) May 22, 2017
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.
Massive thanks to @IUHealthMH #holmatrosafetyteam @IndyCar for getting me back on my feet! Looking forward to getting back in the car!
— Sébastien Bourdais (@BourdaisOnTrack) May 24, 2017
“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.”
I walked out of the hospital today. On to rehab now! pic.twitter.com/bwTOsBNDaD
— Sébastien Bourdais (@BourdaisOnTrack) May 24, 2017