Sebastien Bourdais makes a great first impression and hopes to join other F3000 graduates in finding success in the Champ Car World Series.

source: CART.com

You know what they say about only getting one chance to make a first impression? In Sebastien Bourdais' case, it's not exactly true. Bourdais had two chances to make a first impression with Newman/Haas Racing.

The first came early one January morning when he arrived at Sebring for a try-out with the defending CART champions and found some mechanics in the midst of setting-up the pit equipment. Without giving it a second thought, the 23 year old Frenchman pitched-in with the decidedly unglamorous task of erecting the awning, set-up pad and pit stand.

"I come from a family which is not rich," says Bourdais. "We were not poor, not at all, but I always used to help the mechanics. I like a real friendly and a family ambiance in the team. You spend so much time with these guys that it's always better to have a really close relationship and that's what I'm trying to do.

"When you're there and you can lend a hand . . . just do it!"

Suffice to say the team was impressed. But making a good first impression with the mechanics can only take a race driver so far. Regardless of whether it's love at first sight with the crew, what really matters is a driver's ability to deliver results on the race track.