Esteban Gutierrez is returning behind the wheel of the #18 Dale Coyne Racing entry this weekend for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America, the team announced. He will be replacing the injured Sebastien Bourdais for the remainder of the Verizon IndyCar Series season.
“I’m very happy to finally announce my racing program for the rest of the season,” Gutierrez said. “To represent Mexico in the Verizon IndyCar Series has a huge significance to all the fans that have been following the series through history. I’m very grateful to fill in this position.”
“IndyCar has highly competitive teams and drivers and the challenge for me will be great, but I will use all my experience from Formula 1 with Sauber, Haas F1 Team and Ferrari in order to adapt quickly to the car and the tracks. I look forward to continue working with Dale Coyne Racing and Honda, I put my trust in them to achieve great results together. I cannot wait to jump in my Unifin #18 car at Road America this weekend!”
Gutierrez got his first taste of an Indy car at the beginning of the month when he joined the team for the Detroit doubleheader weekend. While it wasn’t the ideal venue to make his debut, with a tough, physical layout, Gutierrez improved and impressed throughout the weekend finishing 14th in Race 2 while fighting with drivers such as Marco Andretti.
Gutierrez will drive for Dale Coyne Racing until the end of the IndyCar season
“We’re very pleased that Esteban can join us for the remainder of the season,” said Team Owner Dale Coyne. “Esteban did a very good job in Detroit despite having a lot to learn in a short amount of time. He fit in very well with the team. I look forward to our next races with him, starting with Road America this week.”
Gutierrez will find himself in familiar territory this weekend. He raced at Road America back in 2007 in the Formula BMW USA Series. He was able to test at the 4.048-mile, 14-turn track last week.
To represent Mexico in @IndyCar has a huge significance & I’m very grateful to fill in this position. Thanks for the chance @DaleCoyneRacing https://t.co/Asgb7odyo1
— Esteban Gutierrez (@EstebanGtz) June 22, 2017
