Bourdais wins first Detroit Indycar double-header

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Former F1 driver Sebastian Bourdais won the first Indycar round of this weekend's double header in Detroit.

The Frenchman, who raced for Toro Rosso alongside Sebastian Vettel in 2008, relied on a particularly aggressive fuel strategy compared to most of his fuel-saving rivals.

Bourdais' KVSH Racing's Dallara-Chevrolet maintained a steady pace throughout the 70-lap event, and quietly worked his way up the field as pit strategies and yellow flags unfolded.

With 10 laps remaining, the team accomplished a lightning fuel-stop which crucially put Bourdais in second place behind Conor Daly who still had one stop to make however.

In the end, Bourdais clinched his first win of the season, beating the 24-year-old son of former Grand Prix driver Derek Daly and another former F1 driver, Penske's Juan Pablo Montoya.

Championship leader Simon Pagenaud finished well down the order in 13th position following a botched strategy which forced the Frenchman to stop for fuel with just a handful of laps remaining.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.