Théo Pourchaire demands answers because he regrets his F1 seat

Theo Pourchaire’s situation after winning the 2023 Formula 2 championship mirrors that of previous champions like Felipe Drugovich (2022) and Oscar Piastri (2021). Despite Pourchaire’s impressive performances, he did not secure a place on the 2024 Formula 1 grid, a challenge faced by many F2 champions due to the limited number of seats available in F1.

While Oscar Piastri has finally found a top seat at McLaren and is now one of F1’s most notable drivers, Pourchaire and Drugovich have yet to make their F1 debuts. Drugovich remains in a reserve role at Aston Martin, and Pourchaire, a member of the Sauber Academy, faces a similar dilemma as the sport’s grid becomes increasingly competitive. Despite Pourchaire’s talent, F1’s tight driver market and the long-term contracts of many current drivers limit opportunities for newcomers like him.

It remains unclear whether Pourchaire or Drugovich will get their chance anytime soon, as the sport continues to face challenges in promoting young talent from junior categories to full-time seats in F1.

In an interview with Motorsport.comThéo Pourchaire has expressed his frustration at seeing several drivers land Formula 1 seats without having won the Formula 2 championship, while he, the 2023 F2 champion, has not had the same luck. He notably cited Franco Colapinto, who will finish the season with Williams after replacing Logan Sargeant in Italy, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, announced as Lewis Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes in 2025.

Pourchaire also mentioned Oliver Bearman, who has been confirmed at Haas, and Jack Doohan, who is set to join Alpine next season. These drivers, while talented, have not been F2 champions like him, which compounds his disappointment. He believes that, despite proving his talent by winning the championship, opportunities have been few and far between, while others have secured places due to various factors beyond titles, such as sponsorship, timing or team preferences.

“From the outside, for sure, if you’re in my shoes, it seems unfair, like I think it’s unfair to Drugovich, for example, who won the title, and… you know that’s the case. That’s the world of F1,” he said when asked how it felt to see drivers who hadn’t been F2 champions in the premier class.

“I’m happy to be back here in the paddock (at Monza). I really hope to get my chance one day. I’m ready to give everything. I’m passionate about this sport. I’m ready to do my best. I’m not asking for anything. I’m just asking for a seat and a steering wheel, my chance in a car,” he added.

When asked what he needs to have a chance in Formula 1, Pourchaire says it is something he cannot understand himself, as he considers that he has proven himself worthy of a seat.

“That’s a good question. I do it too. Every day. I don’t know. I gave my best on the track. I’m sure there are people who say winning the championship in the third year in F2 is not very good, but I won it when I was 20. I’m the youngest race winner in history in F2, in F3, so I have nothing to prove on the track. I just need a chance. That’s all. I don’t know,” he said.

“I’m at a point where I don’t have big sponsors to follow me. I don’t have money to put on the table. I have to be honest. I’m just a Formula 2 champion, you know, trying to find something to do at the moment. I’m just trying to find a place. So, like I said, at the moment, I’m trying to find something.”