Sebastien Bourdais taken to hospital after accident in Indianapolis 500 qualifying

The 37-year-old driver was running 230 mph when he lost control and crashed during time trials Saturday.

Sebastien Bourdais was taken to the hospital after a violent crash that caused his car to flip during Indianapolis 500 qualifying Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 37-year-old driver was on his third of four qualifying laps when he lost control of his No. 18 Honda-powered car and slammed nearly head-on into the outside Turn 2 wall, then spun around and flipped once before coming to a stop on the backstretch. Bourdais had posted consecutive 231 mph laps before his accident and was on pace to win the provisional pole.

Safety workers arrived on the scene and immediately removed Bourdais, who was seen moving inside the car, and placed him on a stretcher. The Frenchman was then transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital. IndyCar Series officials said Bourdais was awake and alert, and did not lose consciousness.

Bourdais is 36-time Indy car race winner and won four consecutive Champ Car championships (2004-07). His 233.116 mph in practice on Friday was the fastest of the entire month leading up to first round qualifying Saturday, with the top nine drivers advancing to final round qualifying Sunday.