Pourchaire’s journey might be filled with triumph in Formula 2, but his F1 dream remains elusive. In an exclusive interview with ‘Pitstop,’ Theo Pourchaire, the freshly crowned F2 champion, opened up about the grim reality faced by young talents striving to progress to the pinnacle of motorsport. The French driver’s journey mirrors that of his predecessors, Oscar Piastri and Felipe Drugovich, highlighting a systemic issue that demands attention and a resolution.

The road to Formula 1 is never a straightforward one, and Pourchaire, a Sauber junior driver, has found himself at a crossroads. Despite clinching the Formula 2 championship in a gripping Abu Dhabi finale, the Frenchman faces the stark reality of not securing a Formula 1 race seat for the upcoming 2024 season.

Theo Pourchaire claims F2 champions can bring something special to F1

The 20-year-old becomes the third consecutive Formula 2 champion to grapple with the absence of an immediate promotion to Formula 1. The young talent, following in the footsteps of Piastri in 2021 and Drugovich in 2022, stresses the urgency for a solution to this situation. In a sport that thrives on urgency and staying in the thick of the action, Pourchaire emphasizes that winning the Formula 2 championship should be a clear pathway to Formula 1.

The underlying issue lies in the unique challenge faced by Formula 2 champions, who are barred by regulations from competing in the series the following season. While the current trend sees champions spending a season as reserve drivers or participating in Friday practice sessions, the Frenchman questions the rationale behind this transitional limbo. As he grapples with exploring alternative options for the 2024 season, including a potential drive in the Japanese Super Formula championship, the need for a more streamlined and efficient progression from F2 to F1 becomes apparent.

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“The main issue is that the F2 Champion probably needs to have an F1 seat. For me, I think, they need to find a solution. I mean you cannot force any Formula 1 team to choose one driver and you cannot tell them you know, he is the F2 Champion you have to take him. We need to find a solution because I’m the third one in a row to not be in F1 the next year,“ Pourchaire told the ‘Pitstop’.

“The F2 Champion I think can bring something to F1. If you win F2 you have, I think, the level to drive in F1 for sure. I mean we saw it with Oscar, [and] we saw it with Felipe during the FP1 sessions. It was really quick he’s ready to jump in F1. But yeah, we need to find a solution.” Pourchaire concluded.

“I Would Beat Oscar Piastri”: F2 Champ Theo Pourchaire Makes Bold Claim While Eyeing F1 Seat

Pourchaire’s exploration of alternative options, including the Japanese Super Formula, underlines the challenges faced by talented drivers. Testing in an F1 car incurs significant costs, making it an unattainable option for Pourchaire, even within the Sauber Academy. However, not everyone in the community echoed the statements of the Frenchman.

Pourchaire has not made a strong enough impression as per F1 Pundit

Pourchaire’s journey may have been remarkable, but has he left an indelible mark in the eyes of Formula 1 teams? F1 Pundit Scott Mitchell-Malm of The Race provides a critical perspective on Pourchaire’s trajectory. He emphasized that the young driver has yet to demand attention to the extent that rivals have taken notice.

Mitchell-Malm poses a compelling question, stating, “If the organization that has supported him for several years does not think he is a better option than Zhou Guanyu… you would think a rival team who rates Pourchaire highly would sense a chance to swoop.“

As Sauber, Pourchaire’s backers, opt to retain him as a reserve driver and explore opportunities in Super Formula for 2024, the talks surrounding Pourchaire’s readiness for F1 intensify. The competitive nature of F1 demands not only skill but also an undeniable presence that forces teams to take notice.

Watch This Story | How Oscar Piastri Has Made a Scintillating Rise to the Pinnacle of Motorsport

Do you agree with Scott Mitchell’s analysis of Theo Pourchaire? Or do you believe he did perhaps deserve an F1 seat in 2024? Share your insights in the comments below.