Théo Pourchaire: "The 24 Hours of Daytona is a dream of mine"

Theo Pourchaire will compete in a full-time FIA ​​World Championship in 2026. After a learning season in European Le Mans Series with Algarve Pro Racing and a first Hypercar race at the 8 Hours of Bahrain, the French driver will be on the grid from the opening round of the WEC, the 1812 km of Qatar, on March 28th, with Peugeot .

Fully committed to his role with the Lion brand, the Grasse native dreams of making his mark at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but it's not the only twice-around-the-clock race that interests him. A former driver ofIndyCar with McLaren, the champion of Formula 2 2023 would also like to discover the 24 Hours of Daytona in the future.

« That would interest me. he confirmed to AUTOhebdo during his studio visit at the end of November. It's not on the agenda, let's say, for the next edition (…) There are many opportunities at Daytona with four drivers per car and many categories as well, but the 24 Hours of Daytona is also a dream of mine. There are a few races that I dream about like that, where I would say Le Mans, Daytona, Indianapolis 500. We're in the top 3, I think, the ultimate ones. »

Peugeot is certainly not present in IMSABut Théo Pourchaire could take inspiration from other drivers competing with manufacturers in the WEC's Hypercar category and regularly present at the 24 Hours of Daytona in other categories, such as Charles Milesi or Sébastien Bourdais who will be on the grid for the 2026 edition in LMP2.

Pourchaire also dreams of the Indianapolis 500

Théo Pourchaire has also surrounded himself with a two-time French winner of the event, simon pagenaud (2022, 2023), to help him find opportunities in the United States, in IMSA or IndyCar.

« I'm 100% focused on the WEC and winning Le Mans. That would truly be the ultimate dream right now. However, yes, winning the Indianapolis 500, one day in my life, is definitely on my wishlist, as they say. I've been twice as a spectator, and I don't think there are any other sporting events on the planet, really, that come close. It's truly incredible. The spectacle, the passion, you think: this is insane. The winner must feel an incredible emotion. »

The 2026 24 Hours of Daytona will take place on January 24th and 25th.

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