Components 2’s youngest race winner when he triumphed in Monaco at simply 17 years previous, Theo Pourchaire as soon as was one of many hottest prospects on the way in which 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 crew saved an unchanged line-up of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
Forays into Tremendous Components and IndyCar this yr have been short-lived for the impecunious Frenchman however made for an eventful marketing campaign, and a considerably annoyed however desperately optimistic Pourchaire longingly anticipates extra alternatives whereas fulfilling his present F1 duties, as he instructed Motorsport.com in an unique interview.
How has your yr been total?
Theo Pourchaire: “I imply, it was an odd yr, as an example. 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 lots 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 count on 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 simple. 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? Will 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 recognize, not lots of people converse English there. So for me, it was not simple to speak with engineers, with the mechanics, with the crew 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 believe it is the perfect observe in Japan, and probably the greatest on the earth. So I loved so much. Sadly, in fact, the primary race was not superb. The efficiency was not excellent, however, you understand…
“It was robust to search out as properly the finances additionally from my facet. So when the chance with Arrow McLaren got here, I could not… I could not say no. I used to be, in fact, actually blissful to obtain this chance. Everyone knows this sport is basically costly, and this chance was excellent for me on the time.
Theo Pourchaire, ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPUL
Picture by: Masahide Kamio
However then, do you are feeling kind of any regrets about not with the ability to truly profit from the work you’ve got carried out in Japan?
TP: “I haven’t got any large regrets however, in fact, that is an incredible 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 in the intervening time. 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 constructive indicators from IndyCar? How a lot time are you spending in talks with groups, possibly sponsors?
TP: “As I mentioned earlier than, this championship is basically superior for my part. You recognize, the entire IndyCar group was actually form with me, the drivers, the championship organisers, crew members from all of the groups. Seeing you are a driver coming from Europe, F2 champion, coming in IndyCar I believe was actually constructive for everyone there, and actually constructive 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 awesome alternative with Arrow McLaren, however sadly we… I imply, I anticipated to drive a little bit 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 presently actually essential to have that sort of alternative for me, as a result of in any other case I am undecided I might have been with the ability to proceed driving.
You did not know a lot about IndyCar most likely earlier than going there, however now having a style of it, does it appear like that is the trail you wish to go now?
TP: “It is for certain for me a powerful choice, as a result of, I am nonetheless the reserve driver for [the Sauber] F1 crew. So I, for certain, want to have my likelihood in the future in F1. I am right here. I labored actually arduous. I did the outcomes I wanted to do. So I simply want a possibility now – that might be superior.
“And if not, IndyCar for certain is, for me, virtually 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 basically vital for me. So for that, IndyCar is high one. So let’s examine. I am in talks with a couple of groups, however I might like to get a possibility there. There are a couple of different championships as properly, however IndyCar, I actually love.”
Theo Pourchaire, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Picture by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Photographs
However you and F1. What must occur so that you can get an opportunity?
TP: “That is an excellent query. I am asking myself this query too, day-after-day. I do not know. I did my finest on the observe. For certain, some folks say that successful the championship within the third yr in F2 is just not wanting nice, however I received it after I was 20 years previous. 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 are feeling that individuals neglect about that? That you simply’re 20.
TP: “I believe so. I am 21 now, however nonetheless younger, you understand! Younger sufficient to be there, to be in competition, so… however I believe folks neglect actually fast on this sport, particularly on this world, everyone forgets actually fast what you are able to do, and what I did previously years. And it was not a very long time in the past, you understand, it was a couple of months, a couple of years, possibly two to 3 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 likelihood.”
And in addition, you see guys coming from F2 which did not have the championship of their bag…
TP: “From the surface, for certain, if you’re in my place, it appears unfair, like I believe 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 blissful to be right here once more within the paddock. And as I mentioned, actually hope I can have my likelihood in the future. I am prepared to offer all the pieces. I am simply keen about this sport. Prepared to offer my finest. I do not ask for something. I simply wish to… I simply ask for a seat and a steering wheel and, yeah, my likelihood in a automobile.”
Théo Pourchaire, Arrow McLaren
Picture by: Arrow McLaren SP
The entire Audi undertaking, how eager are you to be a part of the way forward for this organisation?
TP: “For certain, it appears very promising for the crew. I believe it is essential undertaking and a very large undertaking. So I hope this might help the crew to develop. After all, it is a bit of a tough interval, however I am certain the crew will enhance – everyone’s working actually arduous, and with the assistance of Audi it will be higher. I am fairly certain.
“There’s additionally a regulation change quickly, so it will be higher. And I’m certain that can be a dream for me to be a part of such an enormous undertaking, you understand, such a legendary model as Audi, and I am able to drive for such a crew. You recognize, I am younger, however I am prepared for this. I believe they certain [know] I am there. If they need me – I am right here. Prepared.”
How did you handle to remain that constructive all through that tough yr?
TP: “It is robust, you understand. I am not at all times, for certain, very constructive like this, not at all times smiling. However I am blissful that I used to be capable of win lots of races previously 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 believe I am one of many solely drivers to have had the chance to drive in all the perfect vehicles on the earth. So for that, I am grateful. And you understand, making an attempt to remain constructive, I am certain the perfect 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 basically wanting good. I am watching virtually each race. Le Mans is a race I want to do in the future. It is a dream to win it for certain, like each different driver, just like the Indianapolis 500, just like the Monaco Grand Prix.
“So wanting, looking for choices there as properly, and in Components E as properly. I imply, it is a aggressive championship, a very totally different sort of motorsport, as a result of it is electrical, as a result of it is a very totally different option to drive. I already had a take a look at in Components E, again in 2022 after I did some improvement for the brand new era. And it is a robust, robust class. So if I am going there, it will likely be lots of work to do, and a distinct option to drive and option to work. So yeah, let’s examine. However as you mentioned, these championships are the goal, for certain.”
