F2, FRECA… The results of the French in 2023

Formula 2

• Theo Pourchaire (ART Grand Prix, champion)

The third was good for Théo Pourchaire. After his difficulties in the first year and the bad luck of the second, the Grassois finally achieved his goal, that of being crowned champion of Formula 2. It was a long season for the Sauber protégé but he was finally able to exult in Abu Dhabi at the end of November where he definitively defeated Frederik Vesti in the fight for the title. Unfortunately, there will be no increase in Formula 1 next year. Nothing to be discouraged since Théo will continue his career in Super Formula in Japan. An excellent opportunity since it could be used for some to then land in F1, like Pierre Gasly. Hopefully, who knows...

• Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix, 5^e in the championship and best rookie)

The member of theAlpine Academy made a strong impression for its first season in Formula 2. Not hampered by the adaptation to a new car, Victor Martins quickly obtained good results, notably in qualifying with a pole position in his second round and on a circuit that he discovered (Saudi Arabia). If he made a few youthful mistakes in the first part of the year, the Ile-de-France native gradually erased them to string together good performances. Too short to hope to fight for the title against Théo Pourchaire or Frederik Vesti, Victor Martins consoled himself with that of best rookie, logically acquired against an Oliver Bearman who was a bit too irregular. Expected for a second season in 2024, this time he will be a serious contender to succeed Théo Pourchaire.

Victor Martins and Théo Pourchaire proudly represented France. © Florent Gooden / DPPI

• Isack Hadjar (Hitech GP, 14^e in the championship)

Very complicated first year in Formula 2 for Isack Hadjar. Never finding happiness at the wheel of a very delicate Hitech GP, the protégé of Red Bull was very rarely able to put everything together. Its opportunities to fight at the forefront were not numerous and the Habs were more often content to “survive” or try to come back. Despite everything, the Austrian team has great confidence in him, as evidenced by his two participations in EL1 in F1, first with Alpha Tauri in Mexico then with the parent company in Abu Dhabi. Confirmed at Campos for 2024, Hadjar hopes to bounce back.

• Clément Novalak (Trident, 17^e in the championship)

In a very messy second season, Clément Novalak found his happiness at Zandvoort. In the Dutch seaside resort, the native of Avignon scored a victory in the Main Race to everyone's surprise. Certainly well helped by the conditions and the facts of the race, the Tricolore still produced a very good performance to achieve its only success in 2 years of F2. The page of the car is turned since it is now expected in endurance with Inter Europol Competition en ELMS.

FRESH

• Alessandro Giusti (G4 Racing, 6th in the championship)

The 2022 F4 France champion has successfully completed his transition. Lagging behind during the first rounds, Alessandro Giusti found a second wind during the summer tour and experienced a leap forward with 3 victories in 6 races (Castellet, Red Bull Ring and Monza). Performances which allowed him to move up the rankings, finishing near the Top 5. A second year in FRECA is the best option at present.

• Macéo Capietto (RPM, 8th in the championship)

The former resident of F4 France did not reach the expected milestone in 2023. After a good start, often close to the Top 5 and with solid performances in qualifying, Macéo Capietto experienced a downturn during the summer with some results far from his expectations which did not allow him to progress and advance in the hierarchy. He has not yet confirmed his plans for next year but a reconversion could be considered.

• Sami Meguetounif (MP Motorsport, 9th in the championship)

Half-fig, half-grape season for Sami Meguetounif. The Marseillais had good times with podiums but also more difficult passages such as retirements or even races far from the points. Despite everything, he managed to show good things when he was able and confirmed progress compared to his first year thanks in particular to good winter preparation at FRMEC in the Middle East. Far from the places of glory, Sami obtained a promotion in F3 for next year where he will ride for Trident, one of the references in the category.

Sami Meguetounif during his podium at Le Castellet. © Niels Broekema/Dutch Photo Agency.

• Owen Tangavelou (Trident, 14^e in the championship)

Not in great spirits, Owen Tangavelou had an eventful year. Far from the mark at the start of the year, he still managed to find a smile during the summer with 6 Top 10s in 4 meetings, or 8 races. Unfortunately, the gap was already made with the top of the table and he was unfortunately never able to catch up. In 2024, he should try his luck in the world of GT. Recently, he took part in the Junior selection Porsche Carrera Cup France 2024 but he did not win the bet.

• Victor Bernier (MP Motorsport, 15^e in the championship)

Arriving at MP Motorsport after a campaign with FA Racing, the 2018 junior world champion in karting had a lot of trouble confirming. However, at the end of 2022 he had shown some great things on the track, enough to bode well for a good 2023. Nay. On alternating current, Victor Bernier unfortunately could not claim much this year. There is this 2^e place in Race 1 at Monza but overall his campaign fell far short of his expectations. Concerning its future, an announcement is still awaited.

• Marcus Amand (ART Grand Prix, 18^e in the championship)

The Sauber protégé suffered a lot. However, there were some glimmers of hope, notably at Monza or even at Zandvoort when he found himself playing in front to everyone's surprise. At the Temple of Speed, he once believed in his first podium in FRECA but a penalty after the finish pushed him back to 9^e rank. Finally, he got it in the Netherlands thanks to a 2^e place during Race 2 in which he started from pole position. Performances on which he could rely in the event of a repetition in 2024.

• Pierre-Alexandre Provost (G4 Racing, 30^e in the championship)

Arriving mid-season, Pierre-Alexandre Provost failed to adapt quickly. The accumulated delay and the lack of riding in a peloton compared to the rest was felt and he was never able to really claim real results.

Eurocup-3

• Esteban Masson (Campos, champion)

The 2021 F4 France champion succeeded in his bet. Engaged in the first season in the history of the Eurocup-3, Esteban Masson responded by winning the championship at the end of a controlled season during which he scored no less than 8 victories in 16 races. Unfortunately, this did not open the doors to F3 as expected. Luckily, he managed to quickly bounce back since he found a landing point on the side of theEndurance. After a pitfall at the 8 Hours of Bahrain, the final of the WEC 2023, Esteban Masson has been confirmed within the Akkodis ASP Team crews for the 2024 campaign aboard a Lexus RC F GT3.

GB3 Championship

• Arthur Rogeon (Chris Dittmann Racing, 21^e in the championship)

A defector from karting without going through the F4 box, Arthur Rogeon was put to the test in his first year in single-seaters. It was within the renowned British GB3 that the Tricolore took its first steps. As expected, and despite all his talent, he logically did not fight for the title. However, learning from this first attempt should be of great use to him if he ever attacks again next year.

F4 France

In the national championship, rookie Evan Giltaire got the better of Enzo Peugeot at the end of a battle which took them to the last round at Le Castellet last October. Between them, it was decided by 4 small points (317 to 313). Despite falling behind by 28 points with two rounds remaining, Giltaire achieved a high-level final sprint with 4 podiums in the last 6 races including 2 victories. These successes have precisely allowed him to erase the last steps behind Peugeot to be crowned 2023 F4 France champion. In 2024, they will meet again since they are both expected in FRECA. The first at ART Grand Prix, the second at Saintéloc.

F4 Spain

If he finished the season with the Spanish license, it is indeed the French nationality which appears on the passport of Théophile Naël, 2023 champion of F4 Spain. After half a season in 2022, the Tricolore did not miss its meeting this year, confirming the hopes placed in it, in particular by Saintéloc, the Saint-Etienne team which has continued to progress since its arrival in single-seaters in 2022. on the other side of the Pyrenees, Théophile showed himself to be very solid. After a smooth start, he had a string of successes (8 in total) and gradually separated himself from the rest. If Christian Ho appeared threatening at the end of the year, Naël held on to win the title. FRECA, still with Saintéloc, expects it in 2024.

Théophile Naël is the new F4 France champion. ©F4 Spain

For his part, Enzo Deligny can boast of a successful first single-seater season. The Habs, protected by the Red Bull Junior Team, long claimed the title but were ultimately a bit too tight to keep up with the leading group. Unfortunately for him, the year ended on a bad note since he was disqualified from the last race after an unsportsmanlike maneuver on an opponent but also for having ignored the instructions of the race direction. Hopefully this will not impact his future which looks promising.

Pablo Sarrazin has undoubtedly said goodbye to single-seaters. After two sluggish campaigns, one in France and the other in Spain, Stéphane's son could continue his career in rally. This is what his latest competitive outings suggest since he was seen in rally at the end of the year.

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