IndyCar Series: Sebastien Bourdais repeats St. Pete's victory

The 2018 IndyCar Series season starts in the same way as the last year’s season, with a victory of Sebastien Bourdais (Dale Coyne Racing) in the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

The 39-year-old Frenchman scored his 37th Champ Car/IndyCar win in a career at the wheel of the #18 SealMaster Honda after race leaders Robert Wickens and Alexander Rossi collided at the restart with just two laps two go.

Bourdais crossed the finish line under the yellow flag

Rookie Robert Wickens started from pole and led for 69 laps

Canadian rookie Robert Wickens, who started from the pole position in the #6 Lucas Oil Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda and led for race-high 69 laps, was close to the victory and to become the first driver to win in his debut since 1996 (Buzz Calkins at Walt Disney World Speedway). But, on the restart on Lap 108, he was attacked by Alexander Rossi in the #27 Andretti Autosport Honda. After a contact, Wickens went into the barrier, causing one more yellow flag period.

Rossi was able to continue and he finished third, behind Graham Rahal in the #15 United Rentals Honda. James Hinchcliffe finished fourth in the #5 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda. Ryan Hunter-Reay secured top 5 sweep for Honda in the #28 car.