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Aussie replaces Bourdais after Indy crash

Davison takes over a Honda-powered entry that turned in Saturday's two fastest qualifying laps above 231 mph before a crash.

James Davison of Australia, pictured in 2014, will race for Honda in the 101st Indianapolis 500

Davison, a 30-year-old Australian whose grandfather Lex shares the Aussie F1 race win record with Michael Schumacher, takes over a Honda-powered entry that turned in Saturday's two fastest qualifying laps above 231 mph before a crash.

Bourdais suffered multiple pelvic fractures and a broken right hip when his car slammed into the outer wall of the famed 2.5-mile (4km) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval where the IndyCar race will be contested next Sunday.

The 38-year-old from Le Mans led Friday's final full practice session and had driven the two fastest laps Saturday to start his four-lap qualifying run.

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But the car slammed into the wall in turn two on the third lap and flipped over as flames erupted from the chassis. It took rescue workers about 10 minutes to free Bourdais from the wreckage.

Bourdais never lost consciousness and was awake and alert when taken to Methodist Hospital, where X-rays revealed the extent of his injuries and he underwent successful surgery and vowed to return.

"It's going to take time, but I'm feeling pretty good since the surgery," Bourdais said in a statement Sunday. "I'll be back at some point. Just don't know when yet."

Davison has made two Indy 500 starts, finishing 16th in 2014 and 27th in 2015 after starting last in the 33-car field for Coyne, with whom he made his IndyCar debut in 2013.

"It's never easy when you have to replace an injured driver, but the important thing is that Sebastien is going to fully recover from his injuries and we'll be waiting for him when he's ready to come back," Coyne said.

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"We've worked with James in the past and he has done a good job for us. He's familiar with the team and knows how we work, so it was an easy decision when came the time to find someone to fill the seat."

Davison will not drive the car onto the track until a Monday afternoon practice session, the team deciding to forego any attempt at a quick repair and hasty effort to improve their spot on the grid in Sunday time trials.

Under IndyCar rules, Davison will start at the back of the field.

"My thoughts are with Sebastien and (his wife) Claire Bourdais," Davison said. "This is never the circumstance that a driver wants to secure an opportunity to drive in the Indianapolis 500.

"With that said, I'm extremely excited and ready to take on this challenge. The prime goal will be to secure a strong result for the team, Sebastien and all our sponsors. I can't wait to get started."

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Davison's deal was said to be for the Indy 500, so another racer could in theory be used for the other 11 IndyCar races this season.

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