The Sauber Components 1 group is seeking to discover reserve driver Theo Pourchaire a brand new dwelling in IndyCar after being dropped by Arrow McLaren.
Final week it was introduced Arrow McLaren had signed a multi-year take care of Nolan Siegel to run its #6 Chevrolet from final weekend’s Laguna Seca spherical onwards.
The information got here solely weeks after McLaren had confirmed 20-year-old Components 2 champion Pourchaire would stay within the automobile for the rest of 2024, having achieved a take care of Sauber to mortgage its academy driver as a alternative for the injured David Malukas.
With the Frenchman having left his seat in Tremendous Components to race in IndyCar and instantly impressing on his first outings, the information of him being changed got here as a shock.
Talking completely to Motorsport.com, Sauber F1 group consultant Alessandro Alunni Bravi stated the group “can’t be glad” at Pourchaire’s deal being cancelled, however understood McLaren’s place and would as a substitute search for another journey.
“McLaren wanted to alter its technique on the drivers and we perceive their place,” Alunni Bravi stated.
“After all, we can’t be glad, primarily as a result of Theo has misplaced the chance to have a robust racing programme.
“That is one thing that may occur in motorsport, we can not blame McLaren. However we want simply now to take a look at the long run and discover one other good alternative for Theo.
“We’re already working with him to safe one other seat in IndyCar, hopefully we will do some races this 12 months.
“We wished for him to have an essential racing programme as a result of we wish to have him all the time prepared to leap into the automobile, if vital.
“He confirmed instantly that he can compete for a prime 10 place.”
Theo Pourchaire, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Picture by: Artwork Fleischmann
For the remaining 9 rounds of the 2024 IndyCar season, Dale Coyne Racing seems to be probably the most logical selection for Sauber to position Pourchaire, with the group but to announce who will take over the No. 51 Honda-powered entry when the sequence heads to Mid-Ohio in two weeks.
Regardless of lacking three rounds, together with Might’s Indianapolis 500, Pourchaire might but contend for rookie of the 12 months honours, having scored his first prime 10 in Detroit.
Alunni Bravi stated the group’s precedence is for Pourchaire to be positioned in a prime IndyCar seat for the 2025 season, with the Swiss squad chasing extra skilled choices resembling Ferrari exile Carlos Sainz for its F1 group.
“We’re centered for him to have a robust 2025 programme with probably the greatest IndyCar groups,” the Italian stated.
“This can be a very demanding championship, totally different observe layouts, observe traits, a variety of very skilled {and professional} drivers with particular data of the class.
“So, it is a good atmosphere for a driver to develop. Now we will not lose every other alternatives for him to race, as a result of for any driver simply the position of reserve driver just isn’t sufficient to maintain them in a great racing form.”
Whereas Sainz additionally contemplating a transfer to Williams and an eleventh-hour bid from Alpine, Alunni Bravi re-iterated Sauber – which formally turns into Audi’s works group in 2026 – is speaking to “4 Components 1 race winners” who’re free brokers subsequent 12 months; Sainz, present driver Valtteri Bottas and Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
“There are within the Components 1 market 4 Components 1 race winners and we’re discussing with all of them,” he stated.
“One of many principal traits we would like is a long-term dedication with the Audi venture.”