Pourchaire locked in ‘unfair’ situation but still aiming for F1

Theo Pourchaire finds himself in the unenviable position of being yet another F2 champion forced to watch F1 from the sidelines, and yet the Frenchman isn’t giving up on his hopes of joining motorsport’s elite.

Pourchaire won the 2023 FIA Formula 2 title at 20-years-old, succeeding 2022 champion Felipe Drugovich.

While both drivers are affiliated with F1 teams as reserve drivers – respectively with Sauber and Aston Martin – neither was offered the full-time promotion to F1 that their talent and achievements warranted.

While Pourchaire chases his dream, his former competitors, Jack Doohan and Oliver Bearman, who finished behind him in F2 in 2023, have already secured rides with Alpine and Haas for the 2025 season.

By all accounts, it’s an “unfair” situation as far as Pourchaire is concerned.

“From the outside, for sure, if you are in my position, it looks unfair, like I think it’s unfair for Drugovich, for example, he won the title, and… you know, it’s like this. It’s the F1 world,” he told Motorsport.com.

“I’m just happy to be here again in the paddock. And as I said, really hope I can have my chance one day. I’m ready to give everything. I’m just passionate about this sport. Ready to give my best.

“I don’t ask for anything. I just want to… I just ask for a seat and a steering wheel and, yeah, my chance in a car.”

• Read also: Audi facing 'youth versus experience' F1 driver quandary for 2025

Recently, the 21-year-old’s life in the fast lane has been filled with ups and downs. After being overlooked for an F1 seat in 2024, Pourchaire explored other racing options, including a brief stint in Japan’s Super Formula series and then in IndyCar.

McLaren Arrow called him up to fill in for the injured David Malukas. He was then assigned to the latter’s seat until the end of the IndyCar season.

However, in a disruptive game of musical chairs rooted in sponsorship and funding, McLaren had a change of heart and opted to replace Pourchaire with Nolan Siegel, a move that left the Frenchman without a ride once more.

But Pourchaire’s determination remains unshaken, and he continues to push for a spot on the 2025 F1 grid.

Back in the Formula 1 paddock with Sauber at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, he is eyeing the team's second seat for next season, hoping for an opportunity to prove himself.

But he admits that securing a drive is anything but a straightforward task.

"That’s a good question. I’m asking myself this question too, every day. I don’t know," Pourchaire replied when asked what he needs to do to land a seat.

He defends his F2 title win, even though some critics have pointed out that it took him three seasons to secure the championship.

"For sure, some people say that winning the championship in the third year in F2 is not looking great," he acknowledged. "But I won it when I was 20 years old.

“I’m the youngest ever race winner in F2, in F3—so I don’t have to prove anything on the track. Just need an opportunity. That’s it. I don’t know."

Sauber, which is set to be rebranded as Audi in 2026, currently holds the only unconfirmed seat for the 2025 season outside of the Red Bull driver pipeline.

The team has struggled this year, sitting last in the Constructors' Championship without a single point, but Pourchaire remains optimistic about their future.

"For sure, it looks very promising for the team," he said of Sauber's transformation into Audi. "I think it’s a very important project and a really big project. So I hope this can help the team to grow."

While Audi’s full involvement won’t come until 2026, Pourchaire sees the partnership as a great opportunity for both the Swiss outfit and his own career.

“Of course, it’s a bit of a difficult period, but I’m sure the team will improve – everybody’s working really hard, and with the help of Audi it’s going to be better. I’m pretty sure,” he said.

“There’s also a regulation change soon, so it’s going to be better. And I am sure that will be a dream for me to be part of such a big project, you know, such a legendary brand as Audi.

Pourchaire knows his F1 dream is within reach, but he needs one key element to fall into place.

"I’m ready to drive for such a team. You know, I’m young, but I’m ready for this. I think they sure [know] I’m there. If they want me—I’m here. Ready."

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