All things considered, Rossi and Bourdais would rather be racing in Long Beach
Imagine it’s Sunday afternoon. NTT IndyCar drivers Alexander Rossi and Sebastien Bourdais are on the starting line for the main event of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, hopeful of adding more to what they’ve already accomplished on the famed street course.
Unfortunately, that would be nothing more than an episode of Fantasy Island. There is no race this year because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Rossi, who dominated the last two races, would have been looking to become just the third driver in the history of the race, which began in 1975, to win three consecutive times. Al Unser Jr. won four in a row from 1988-91 and Bourdais won three from 2005-07.
Rossi is chagrined, but understanding.
“Honestly, there’s no good way to describe it,” said Rossi, 28, of Nevada City, Calif. “Obviously, it’s pretty painful to not be racing at all, but not being able to be at a track I enjoy and where I’ve had success, of course it really stings.
“We always look forward to coming to California in April and seeing all the great fans in Long Beach. Definitely miss that vibe, but understand and agree that keeping everyone safe and healthy is most important.”
Bourdais suggested the situation in its entirety is a real drag.
“Limiting it to our little bubble in racing is kind of naive and probably out of place,” said Bourdais, of France. “But for sure, we had a lot of things we were looking forward to with Larry (Foyt) and the whole team and trying to get A.J. (Foyt) the success that he deserves.”
Bourdais races for A.J. Foyt Enterprises. Larry Foyt, A.J. Foyt’s biological grandson and adopted son, is president of the company.
“Obviously, right now nobody really knows what that 2020 season’s going to look like, so it goes a little bit beyond what the Long Beach Grand Prix may have been and everything,” Bourdais said. “I just hope that a little bit of normalcy comes back soon and we can get on our with lives.”
Being one of the jewels of the IndyCar circuit, the Grand Prix seems to get deep into the hearts of those who have experienced success in the race.
“It put us in a special seat,” Bourdais said Thursday, of his three consecutive victories. In ’05 and ’06 they came under the Newman/Haas Racing banner, the one in ’07 was with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing.
Bourdais said it was a “phenomenal time” for all involved.
“Being able to put three in a row like that in Long Beach was kind of the cherry on top of the cake,” said Bourdais, 41. “It’s such a prestigious event and it definitely meant a lot to me.”
Bourdais noted he initially struggled in Long Beach. He was 16th in 2003, third in 2004.
“So to be able to come out on top like that three years in a row and put our name in the history of the event with such prestigious company was just a very special achievement and I still cherish it, obviously,” said Bourdais, who was inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame in 2019. “Saying that Long Beach doesn’t hold a very special place in my heart would be a lie, that’s for sure.”
Rossi established himself early when he won the Indianapolis 500 as a rookie in 2016. His second consecutive victory in Long Beach in 2019 was one for the ages as he finished a whopping 20.2359 seconds ahead of second-place Josef Newgarden. It was the largest margin of victory since 1995 when Unser Jr. won by 23.125 seconds.
It was also the first time a driver had back-to-back victories since Bourdais’ hat trick.
It’s a tough course, Rossi said, which is just part of the allure for him.
“Well, any street course is physically and mentally demanding, but it’s particularly difficult to gain tenths of seconds on the Long Beach circuit,” said Rossi, of Andretti Autosport. “It’s challenging and requires such focus for the whole race.
“But at the same time, it’s a beautiful and iconic circuit with so much history. The fan turnout and spirit is like Indy (500). So as a driver, it’s such a special race to win.”