The good news for Sebastien Bourdais in 2016 is that he’ll be back with KVSH Racing - reports Thursday by both the Indianapolis Star and Motorsport.com indicate the Frenchman will return to the team for a third season.
Problem is, neither he nor we know how long he’ll re-up for after his initial two-year deal came to a conclusion at the end of last year.
On the team side, the Motorsport.com report indicates that the team won’t continue with two full season entries. Several key staffers - including Bill Pappas - won’t be back in 2016.
Pappas has been through a revolving door of teams in the last few years, KVSH among them, with others including Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Dale Coyne Racing and RSR Racing (in IMSA).
Bourdais hadn’t re-signed with KVSH as far back as November in Daytona, when he made his first “I’m not really here, even though I’m here” appearance in a Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT. Nothing is formal from the KVSH team though and will be a formality when any release comes out, with funding still to be finalized for the car.
The second KVSH or KV Racing Technology-affiliated entry for next season is the PIRTEK Team Murray effort, featuring rookie Matthew Brabham, who will drive at least for the month of May at the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis and 100th Indianapolis 500 in the No. 61 car.
Bourdais has won three times in two seasons with KVSH, including twice last year at Detroit race two and Milwaukee.
Bourdais is also going to have at least one, likely more sports car appearances in the Ford GT. He’s confirmed in the team’s No. 66 car for the Rolex 24 at Daytona and may race other events such as Sebring or Le Mans, neither of which clash with an IndyCar race weekend.