Sebastian Bourdais looking to find his way back to Victory Lane at Long Beach Grand Prix

From 2005 to 2007, Sebastien Bourdais was the undisputed champion of Long Beach.

Bourdais is one of two drivers to win the Long Beach Grand Prix at least three consecutive times (Al Unser Jr. won four in a row from 1988-1991). That stretch in the mid-2000s was part of the Champ Car circuit, and nine years later, as a participant in the IndyCar series, he’s still trying to make it back to the top.

“I had a lot of fun here,” Bourdais said. “I’ve had glimpses of it since then . . . we haven’t really been able to get the balance back where we want or need it to be.”

During practice Friday for the 42nd Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, Bourdais finished 13th out of 21 drivers with a fastest lap of 103.76 mph. He admitted the day one performance wasn’t his greatest, but added that there were extenuating circumstances to consider.

“There’s no frustration, I know the limitations of our system,” Bourdais said. “Everybody is working hard, but it’s a smaller team and it’s tough to go after Team Penske and Ganassi. . . . It’s just a very different setup. It’s enjoyable to try to take the fight to these big guys.”

The 37-year-old Bourdais is driving in a one-car team this season and is off to a so-so start. He placed 21st at St. Petersburg, Fla., and was eighth at Phoenix International Raceway. He sits 15th overall in the points standings.

“Considering how late things got under way this year, we have had a decent start to the season,” Bourdais said. “We showed some pace in qualifying at St. Petersburg, but had some issues in the race. At Phoenix, we didn’t qualify well, but on race day, the team really came together and we had a solid result. Long Beach, hopefully, will be another step toward running at the front again.”

Bourdais has been racing full-time as an IndyCar driver since 2011, with incremental improvements at Long Beach each year. He went from 27th (last place) to 17th, to 15th, to 14th, to sixth last season. He hopes that upward trajectory continues, with a return to the podium Sunday.

“It doesn’t take much,” Bourdais said. “A small adjustment, and all of a sudden, the car comes alive and you’re back on top. So it’s all about making small adjustments, little steps, and moving forwards.”

Practice runs

After two practice sessions Friday, two-time Long Beach champion Will Power recorded the day’s fastest lap at 104.81 mph.

“This is a track where I’ve struggled the last couple years in qualifying, kind of starting way back there,” Power said. “I really want to start up front and give myself a better chance at winning the race.”

James Hinchcliffe, Graham Rahal, points leader Simon Pagenaud and Juan Pablo Montoya completed the top five in fastest practice laps.

During the first practice session, Alexander Rossi made contact with the corner of turn eight. The minor crash led to a red flag, and his car was removed from the track so the session could continue. Rossi was not injured.

Charlie Kimball also had issues during the first practice session, experiencing a brake fire that resulted in a red flag.