Components 2’s youngest race winner when he triumphed in Monaco at simply 17 years outdated, Theo Pourchaire as soon as was one of many hottest prospects on the best way to Components 1. After successful the F2 title at age 20 however on his third try, the Sauber reserve driver was unable to discover a drive on the pinnacle of motorsport, because the Swiss-based group saved an unchanged line-up of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
Forays into Tremendous Components and IndyCar this yr had been short-lived for the impecunious Frenchman however made for an eventful marketing campaign, and a considerably pissed off however desperately optimistic Pourchaire longingly anticipates extra alternatives whereas fulfilling his present F1 duties, as he informed Motorsport.com in an unique interview.
How has your yr been general?
Theo Pourchaire: “I imply, it was an odd yr, for instance. I am used to know what… I imply, what I can be doing annually. I am used to remain in a single championship, to do plenty of races and to win races. However that is not the case this yr.
“It’s kind of of a particular yr, in fact. I may anticipate that with the F2 title and never with the ability to drive once more on this championship. I needed to discover options, to discover a championship the place to drive, and it was not straightforward. So, yeah, it is a unusual yr, however you understand, it was good expertise as properly.”
Let’s begin with Tremendous Components. How did you prefer it there? And the way large was the problem? Can we perceive how large of a problem it’s?
TP: “It is a large problem, as a result of, to start with, it is actually removed from Europe. It is robust to speak in Japan, as a result of it is a very particular nation. You understand, not lots of people converse English there. So for me, it was not straightforward to speak with engineers, with the mechanics, with the group members, and to make myself a powerful place there.
“However I actually loved my time. The automobile was superb to drive. Actually fast automobile, actually. I imply, I drove solely in Suzuka. However Suzuka is superb observe, so I feel it is one of the best observe in Japan, and probably the greatest on the earth. So I loved quite a bit. Sadly, in fact, the primary race was not superb. The efficiency was not good, however, you understand…
“It was robust to seek out as properly the price range additionally from my aspect. So when the chance with Arrow McLaren got here, I could not… I could not say no. I used to be, in fact, actually completely happy to obtain this chance. Everyone knows this sport is de facto costly, and this chance was good for me on the time.
Theo Pourchaire, ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPUL
Picture by: Masahide Kamio
However then, do you’re feeling type of any regrets about not with the ability to truly profit from the work you’ve got finished in Japan?
TP: “I haven’t got any large regrets however, in fact, that is a tremendous championship, Tremendous Components, in addition to IndyCar. I actually liked driving in these championships. However I am additionally at a spot the place I haven’t got any large sponsors following me. I haven’t got any… I haven’t got any cash to placed on the desk. I’ve to be sincere. So I am only a Components 2 champion, you understand, who’s looking for one thing to do for the time being. I am simply looking for a seat and simply looking for a drive. So, as I mentioned, proper now, I am looking for one thing.”
Any optimistic indicators from IndyCar? How a lot time are you spending in talks with groups, perhaps sponsors?
TP: “As I mentioned earlier than, this championship is de facto superior in my view. You understand, the entire IndyCar group was actually sort with me, the drivers, the championship organisers, group members from all of the groups. Seeing you are a driver coming from Europe, F2 champion, coming in IndyCar I feel was actually optimistic for everyone there, and actually optimistic for me as properly, as a result of I actually loved the automobile, actually loved the tracks and the fights, all the pieces was actually, actually good. I loved my time there.
“I had an ideal alternative with Arrow McLaren, however sadly we… I imply, I anticipated to drive just a little bit longer, however as I mentioned, in fact I am dissatisfied to not be capable of end the season there with them, however I thank them once more for the chance. It was right now actually essential to have that type of alternative for me, as a result of in any other case I am undecided I’d have been with the ability to proceed driving.
You did not know a lot about IndyCar in all probability earlier than going there, however now having a style of it, does it appear to be that is the trail you need to go now?
TP: “It is for positive for me a powerful possibility, as a result of, I am nonetheless the reserve driver for [the Sauber] F1 group. So I, for positive, want to have my probability at some point in F1. I am right here. I labored actually laborious. I did the outcomes I wanted to do. So I simply want a possibility now – that might be superior.
“And if not, IndyCar for positive is, for me, nearly nearly as good as F1. I actually loved it. It is a actually nice championship. And the truth that I can take pride behind the wheel is de facto vital for me. So for that, IndyCar is high one. So let’s have a look at. I am in talks with a number of groups, however I’d like to get a possibility there. There are a number of different championships as properly, however IndyCar, I actually love.”
Theo Pourchaire, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Picture by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Pictures
However you and F1. What must occur so that you can get an opportunity?
TP: “That is a superb query. I am asking myself this query too, on daily basis. I do not know. I did my finest on the observe. For positive, some individuals say that successful the championship within the third yr in F2 isn’t trying nice, however I received it after I was 20 years outdated. I am the youngest ever race winner in F2, in F3 – so I haven’t got to show something on the observe. Simply want a possibility. That is it. I do not know.”
Do you’re feeling that individuals neglect about that? That you simply’re 20.
TP: “I feel so. I am 21 now, however nonetheless younger, you understand! Younger sufficient to be there, to be in competition, so… however I feel individuals neglect actually fast on this sport, particularly on this world, everyone forgets actually fast what you are able to do, and what I did up to now years. And it was not a very long time in the past, you understand, it was a number of months, a number of years, perhaps two to a few years in the past, after I began in F3. So it is a bit unhappy, however I am nonetheless right here, and I deserve my probability.”
And in addition, you see guys coming from F2 which did not have the championship of their bag…
TP: “From the skin, for positive, in case you are in my place, it appears unfair, like I feel it is unfair for [Felipe] Drugovich, for instance, he received the title, and… you understand, it is like this. It is the F1 world. I am simply completely happy to be right here once more within the paddock. And as I mentioned, actually hope I can have my probability at some point. I am prepared to present all the pieces. I am simply captivated with this sport. Prepared to present my finest. I do not ask for something. I simply need to… I simply ask for a seat and a steering wheel and, yeah, my probability in a automobile.”
Théo Pourchaire, Arrow McLaren
Picture by: Arrow McLaren SP
The entire Audi venture, how eager are you to be a part of the way forward for this organisation?
TP: “For positive, it appears very promising for the group. I feel it is essential venture and a very large venture. So I hope this will help the group to develop. After all, it is a bit of a tough interval, however I am positive the group will enhance – everyone’s working actually laborious, and with the assistance of Audi it’ll be higher. I am fairly positive.
“There’s additionally a regulation change quickly, so it’ll be higher. And I’m positive that can be a dream for me to be a part of such a giant venture, you understand, such a legendary model as Audi, and I am able to drive for such a group. You understand, I am younger, however I am prepared for this. I feel they positive [know] I am there. If they need me – I am right here. Prepared.”
How did you handle to remain that optimistic all through that tough yr?
TP: “It is robust, you understand. I am not all the time, for positive, very optimistic like this, not all the time smiling. However I am completely happy that I used to be capable of win plenty of races up to now months, previous years, received the F2 championship. And I had the chance to drive in Tremendous Components, drive in IndyCar. I examined in F1. I drove in F2, in fact, for 3 years. I feel I am one of many solely drivers to have had the chance to drive in all one of the best vehicles on the earth. So for that, I am grateful. And you understand, making an attempt to remain optimistic, I am positive one of the best is but to return.”
WEC, Components E?
TP: “Why not? As I mentioned, proper now I am ready the place I am looking for one thing to do, and the World Endurance Championship is de facto trying good. I am watching nearly each race. Le Mans is a race I want to do at some point. It is a dream to win it for positive, like each different driver, just like the Indianapolis 500, just like the Monaco Grand Prix.
“So trying, looking for choices there as properly, and in Components E as properly. I imply, it is a aggressive championship, a very completely different type of motorsport, as a result of it is electrical, as a result of it is a very completely different strategy to drive. I already had a check in Components E, again in 2022 after I did some growth for the brand new era. And it is a robust, robust class. So if I am going there, will probably be plenty of work to do, and a distinct strategy to drive and strategy to work. So yeah, let’s have a look at. However as you mentioned, these championships are the goal, for positive.”
