Sauber junior Pourchaire joins ART for F2 campaign

©Facebook

40

Sauber protégé Theo Pourchaire will race in this year's FIA Formula 2 Championship with ART Grand Prix.

The highly-rated 17-year-old French charger finished second with ART in last year's FIA F3, trailing series champion Oscar Piastri by just three points in the final standings.

Pourchaire made his F1 debut at the end of last season, running in the final two rounds with HWA.

"I am very happy to be able to continue with ART Grand Prix!" said Pourchaire, the 2019 winner of the German F4 title.

"This team gave me the opportunity to drive in F3 last year and now accompanies me to the gates of Formula 1, in F2.

"This year my aim does not change, I’m still aiming for the top. I would like to thank Sauber Academy, ART Grand Prix, my sponsors and my family.

Read also: Mercedes adds F3 charger Vesti to junior programme

"I feel perfectly ready for this new season. I will probably be the youngest driver in the F2 championship this year, so the goal will be to gain as much experience as possible and to progress throughout the season!".

ART - which ran Marcus Armstrong and Christian Lundgaard in F2 last year - has yet to announce the driver that will race alongside Pourchaire this season.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.