12 Hours of Sebring – Race: Historic Victory for Bourdais and Chevrolet
The trio Sébastien Bourdais, Christian Fittipaldi, and Joao Barbosa clinches Chevrolet's first victory in 50 years. It is also the first for the Frenchman.
The Sebring track is one of the most demanding in the world with its varying surfaces and bumps. Its most famous corner is the large 180° concrete curve, very bumpy, leading onto the finish line. It was the favored testing ground for major brands participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans when LMP1 cars were allowed in the race.
Bourdais, Fittipaldi, and Barbosa deliver Chevrolet a victory that had eluded them since 1965. The success is all the more impressive as they finish with a 1-lap lead over the competition, in regular conditions.
Double victory for “Chevy”
The American brand clinches the 2 most coveted victories: the overall classification with the Chevrolet Corvette Daytona prototype version, and the GTLM class with another Corvette; the C7.R in Grand Touring version.
The honors in GT go to the trio Garcia/Magnussen/Briscoe (IndyCar driver in 2014). Luck was not on the side of Simon Pagenaud’s Chevrolet, already struggling during the qualifications.
A moment in the lead and a long time in 2nd, the Ford Riley prototype of Scott Dixon finally finishes 4th. The Ligier-Judd of Frenchman Olivier Pla, who started from pole position, was involved in a collision and only finishes 8th despite good top speed.
Just a day to rest
Sébastien Bourdais, Simon Pagenaud, and Scott Dixon have their Sunday to rest before resuming tests in IndyCar. The two Frenchmen are staying in Florida, they will race on the short version of the Sebring circuit. The New Zealander is heading to Louisiana, on the track of NOLA Motorsports Park.
