By alley - May 25, 2017, 1:02 PM ET

Doctors outline Bourdais’ recovery timeline

One day after

being released from the hospital to begin rehabilitation

for injuries stemming from a crash at Indianapolis, Sebastien Bourdais' doctors have provided a general timeline for the Frenchman's recovery.

"Sebastien is progressing amazingly fast for having pelvis and hip fractures, and considering the severity of the crash," said IndyCar medical consultant and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Scheid. "He is walking with crutches, in good spirits and feeling good.

"We expect the fractures to heal in around eight weeks and he should be able to start putting weight on the right leg then. Until that time, he can work on rehabilitating his upper body, core strength and range of motion in the hip."

The Dale Coyne Racing driver, who will have James Davison step in and attempt to fill his shoes on Sunday in the No. 18 Honda, is targeting a return before the season finale in September at Sonoma Raceway.

"I'm obviously really happy to be up on my feet and feeling pretty good about being able to walk on crutches," Bourdais said. "I'm really thankful to all the people at IU Health Methodist and the Holmatro Safety Team, everybody at IndyCar and my team, Dale Coyne Racing, for helping me achieve that so early after the crash.

"It's going to be a bit of a long road ahead," he added. "I still have six weeks before I can put weight on my right leg and put my foot on the ground, but after that it should be pretty smooth sailing. I'm really looking forward to the day I can get back in the car, and hopefully that will be before the end of the season. I look forward to seeing you guys at the track."