Bourdais not fussed by Renault snub

Bourdais had hoped that his second Champ Car title last year would have been enough for Renault to give him another test after the season, following his maiden run in 2002, but he was ignored by the F1 champions.

After then getting embroiled in a public war of words with the team, accusing the French car manufacturer of not wanting to back their own country's drivers, Bourdais effectively scuppered any chances of getting a call-up in the future.

But speaking after his victory in the Champ Car season-opener at Long Beach, Bourdais said that he was no longer bothered about what happened with Renault.

When asked whether his win was the best response for the slap he got from Renault, he said: "I don't get any slap anymore from Renault, especially the last winter. I know I don't belong there. I don't expect anything.

"They've got their own policy. I'm not a part of their strategy. It's fair enough. I was just a little disappointed that they kind of nailed me like they did during the winter."

Bourdais is still hoping that his success in the United States will be enough for another F1 team to enquire about his services.

"I'm just doing my job, enjoying myself here," he said. "I kind of hope at some point somebody is going to say, 'This kid deserves a chance.' It's going to have to happen pretty damn soon. I'm 27 and getting older.

"The window is getting very narrow for me and I know it. If it doesn't happen, fair enough. I'm going to have a great career in Champ Cars. I think all the positive talks we hear these days are very encouraging for the open-wheel series in America. We'll see what happens."