Théo Pourchaire would "really like" to participate in FP1 with Mercedes

Theo Pourchaire He is definitely a boy with many talents. Already involved in several projects, notably in Formula E with Citroën and the Stellantis group, but also now as a development driver Mercedes Benz F1 and as a holder in WEC with Peugeot The Grasse native assures that his priority remains clear. "My main program is with Peugeot."he reminded AUTOhebdo during the launch of the 2026 Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar, before specifying that his other commitments mainly concern "Mercedes' development role and its role as a reserve and test car in Formula E." A significant accumulation of functions, which involves various equally important roles within the company with the star logo. “[I work] particularly on the F1 simulator, I’m going to spend a lot of days there, [there will be] a lot of Grand Prix that I’ll have to attend.”"It's a significant workload," he explains, "which he nevertheless sees as an opportunity." "It's a good role."

Officially presented as a development pilot on February 23rd, Théo Pourchaire will actually be taking on a broader role. "It will be a development role and a bit of a reserve role as well.", he explains. “I should be at a few Grand Prix as a reserve, when Frederik Vesti is unavailable, because he also does theIMSA"So there are times when there are date clashes with Formula 1."

"He's the third official driver, I'm in development."He explains, emphasizing the complementary nature of the roles. His main mission will, however, remain simulation work. "I'm doing the first two F1 races in the simulator. It's going to be very important to try and maximize the potential of the Mercedes quickly because it's very new, it changes a lot." In a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, the simulator is taking on a strategic dimension. The Frenchman emphasizes the need for a perfect correlation between the virtual environment and the track. "We're entering a season where the simulator will be absolutely crucial in F1, with all these regulation changes."

Hope for a run in FP1

The objective is clear: to faithfully reproduce the sensations of the regular drivers on the track. "All the drivers need to feel the right things, the same things that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli feel on the track to help them, because otherwise we'll quickly lose our way." A mission made all the more sensitive by the need for a rapid understanding of the car could influence the start of the season. Beyond the behind-the-scenes work, the champion of F2 2023 makes no secret of his desire to get behind the wheel in real-world conditions. When asked about a possible participation in a free practice session, he answers without hesitation: "I'd like that." admits the person who has had the opportunity to drive the single-seaters ofAlfa Romeo/Sauber, of which he was a member of the academy. 

He also highlights the technical advantages of a test run: "The advantage of being able to drive the car is that it allows you to correlate the simulator even better, and to be perfect in the simulator." More than just a visibility opportunity, a free practice session would therefore represent an additional tool to refine the development work. By joining the Mercedes F1 structure at a pivotal moment in its technical evolution, Théo Pourchaire has positioned himself at the heart of the performance process, in a discreet but potentially decisive role for his future in motorsport. After all, what if his Formula 1 dream wasn't over for good? 

Interview by Valentin Glo, in Paris.

ALSO READ > Théo Pourchaire becomes a development driver for Mercedes in F1