History repeated itself once again in Mexico City, as
Sebastien Bourdais overcame a polewinner with a broken wrist to take victory in the final round of a Champ Car World Series season.
This time around, however, was less controversy as the four-time champion made his move for the lead well before mid-distance and, a late yellow flag period aside, left the field in his wake to bow out of the championship in style.
Unable to overhaul the injured Will Power off the line, Bourdais bided his time in second place before pouncing on the Australian a couple of laps before both made their first scheduled pit-stop. Despite setting the pace at the head of the field, the two leaders managed to eke more fuel mileage out of their cars than anyone else, pitting beyond the 24-lap mark that was seen as the key to a two-stop race.
Once in front, Bourdais lapped nearly two seconds faster than Power on their respective in-laps to emerge comfortably ahead after being refuelled and fitted with new tyres, and continued the theme to pull out a cushion over the only man who appeared capable of denying him victory.
The fact that Power was in that position, despite racing with two fractures in his left wrist, was because of a bizarre start to the race for Minardi Team USA, which last Dan Clarke to clutch failure on the opening lap, and then saw Robert Doornbos, who had started third on the grid, succumb to a similar problem just three laps in, as the field went green after an early yellow period.
