F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Pourchaire set for sophomore year in F2 and FP1 outings

Alfa Romeo protégé Theo Pourchaire will undertake a second season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship next year, but will also have a few FP1 outings in F1 to look forward to.

The impressive 18-year-old French driver, who tested for Alfa earlier this year, was cited as a possible candidate for a seat with the Swiss outfit in F1 in 2022, but Guanyu Zhou's nomination as Antonio Giovinazzi's replacement at the Hinwil squad put an end to the speculation.

"Theo will stay in F2, we had a long discussion the last couple of weeks," said Alfa Romeo team principal Frederic Vasseur.

"He did a fantastic season in F2 for the first [season], but we also have to keep in mind that 18 months ago, he was in F4.

"The step between F4 and F3 was huge and he did well in F3. The same for the F2, he won this season in Monaco."

©AlfaRomeo

While there are precedents in F1 where a teenager was promoted to the big time, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris or Lance Stroll come to mind, Vasseur believes that pushing Pourchaire up so soon to the pinnacle of motorsport would have been a risky proposition.

"The car is so complex, we have just six test days before the season," explained the Frenchman. "It means it would’ve been too risky, too challenging to do the steps now.

"It’s much better to be focused on the championship in F2 next year and we’ll see in the future.

"Theo will for sure do some FP1s [in 2022], do some test days to try and prepare him for the future.

"But again, when you are doing the championship in F2, the most important thing is to win the championship and not to prepare the future or something like this.

"I will ask him to be champion in F2!"

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

13 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

15 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

16 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

18 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

19 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

20 hours ago