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2016 IndyCar Preseason Power Rankings

By Brittany Frederick

Jan 29, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; Scott Dixon before practice for the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; Scott Dixon before practice for the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 17, 2015; Newton, IA, USA; IndyCar Series driver Sebastien Bourdais (11) during practice for the Iowa Corn 300 at Iowa Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2015; Newton, IA, USA; IndyCar Series driver Sebastien Bourdais (11) during practice for the Iowa Corn 300 at Iowa Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Sebastien Bourdais

Sebastien Bourdais seems to be the expert at making the best of a bad situation. The Frenchman never appears to be ruffled about anything, even when Graham Rahal was letting him know just how he felt about being dumped by the No. 11 after Sonoma. And that Zen attitude may be Bourdais’ biggest advantage as he comes into the 2016 season after some ups and downs for KVSH Racing.

The off-season saw the team jettison Bourdais’ crash-prone teammate Stefano Coletti and several crew members, reducing their efforts to just one car – and they didn’t even finalize the contract for their driver until late last week. It’s a chaotic time to be KVSH, but if anybody can calm things down it’s Bourdais. Even with a team that could have been better, he pulled out two victories – one in the second half of the Dual in Detroit and another at the Milwaukee Mile.

For the last three seasons, Bourdais has been knocking on the door of the IndyCar championship race. He’s finished 12th, 10th and 10th in the overall standings the last three years. His two wins in 2015 were the most he’s ever had in one IndyCar campaign. He just never seems to be with a team that can kick-start him. But now that KVSH is focusing all its attention on the No. 11, might that be about to change? His team doesn’t seem to be as gelled together as Rahal Letterman Lanigan, but if they can find themselves anew, Bourdais could possibly rain on someone else’s parade.

Next: 11. Tony Kanaan