Theo Pourchaire

1. Who is Théo Pourchaire?

Théo Pourchaire is a French driver born on August 20, 2003, crowned Formula 2 champion in 2023 and F1 reserve at Sauber.

Théo Pourchaire, Formula 2 driver. © Florent Gooden / DPPI

2. Théo Pourchaire’s karting route:

From his karting years, Frenchman Théo Pourchaire is used to driving with older drivers. He made his big debut at the age of seven, finishing 4th in the PACA-Corsica regional championship in mini-kart. He finally won the title the following year, in 2011 and again in 2012, this time in Minimes. The year 2013 saw him reach a new level as he won the French championship and the Coupe de France.

Théo Pourchaire during his karting days. © KSP Reports

A new championship title later, this time in Cadets, he won the WSK National Series. In 2016, he made his real international debut, his twelve years finally allowing him to play in OK-Junior. He finished third in the world championship won by his compatriot Victor Martins, two years his senior. After a year in 2017 in Senior karting, marked by a victory in the European Championship, he officially moved to single-seaters under the aegis of the FFSA the following year.

3. Course in promotional formulas by Théo Pourchaire

Not yet 15 years old, Théo Pourchaire entered F4 France, even if his results were not counted in the general classification due to his age. He therefore fought for the Juniors title which he won by a wide margin ahead of Reshad de Gerus. He won a total of seven podiums, including one victory, in a championship made up of several talents such as Caio Collet and Arthur Leclerc. Rather than staying in France to compete in his first official season in F4, the native of Grasse crossed the Rhine and joined the most competitive championship of the time, German F4, in order to evolve in a more competitive single-seater with in mind the idea of ​​spending the following year in Formula 3.

The plan works wonderfully. With US Racing, Théo had a difficult start to the championship, but from the second round, he instantly showed himself up to standard. He scored a total of 12 podiums, including four victories, and was ahead of the Norwegian Dennis Hauger in the photo finish by seven points! This is the second title in two years of single-seater racing for Théo Pourchaire.

The Tricolore, as planned, skips the Formula Renault Eurocup and moves up to FIA Formula 3 in 2020, with the French ART Grand Prix team. The bet is daring, the step is immense, and it shows during the first round in Austria, during which he does not score a point. But as always, Pourchaire shows that he learns quickly. Very quickly.

Théo Pourchaire in German F4, during his title. © Florent Gooden / DPPI

The first victory came the following week, still at Spielberg, in a sprint race, then he did it again, this time in the main race, the following week, in Hungary. In a championship dominated by Prema, who placed his three drivers in the first four positions, the Frenchman managed to finish vice-champion despite his little experience, with only three small points behind Oscar Piastri.

Quite logically, Théo Pourchaire then moved up to Formula 2, the last step before F1. Despite a new rookie status, and the fact of being the youngest driver on the grid, the Habs show very good dispositions. From the second round, he surprised everyone by taking pole position and victory in the main race in Monaco, becoming the youngest winner in F2 history. The rest of his season was handicapped by a radius injury contracted in Baku. This cost him quite a few points in Azerbaijan and during the following round at Silverstone, while his injury was not yet completely resolved.

A new victory, won in Italy at Monza in Race 1, puts him back on track, before another setback in Jeddah. The Frenchman actually stalled on the grid, before being hit at full speed by Enzo Fittipaldi. If Théo emerged physically unscathed, the young Brazilian was injured in his legs.

Théo finished 5th in the championship, during a year marked by his first in a Formula 1, during private tests with Alfa Romeo Racing. For several months, he hoped to be given a seat in F1 the following year at Alfa Romeo, in Frédéric Vasseur's team, but the latter ultimately fell into the hands of Guanyu Zhou, alongside Valtteri Bottas. In 2022, for the first time in his young career, he repeats a category and advances to Formula 2 as the big favorite.

The Grassois will, however, have a complicated year, between mechanical problems, bad luck, and unforced errors. Despite three victories in the Main Race, Théo can do nothing against Felipe Drugovich, who took the crown at the penultimate meeting in Monza (Italy).

Théo Pourchaire in Formula 2. © Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

While he initially refused to carry out a third campaign in the official F3 antechamber, Pourchaire finally decided to return to battle with ART Grand Prix, while continuing to evolve as an Alfa Romeo reserve. Théo knows it, he no longer has the right to make mistakes if he wants to fulfill his F1 dream.

Mission accomplished for the Grassois, who won at the end of the suspense. Although he only signs one victory compared to 6 for his main rival Frederik Vesti, Pourchaire demonstrates excellent consistency which allows him to reach the goal. Reappointed as an F1 reserve at Sauber in 2024, Théo combines his F1 activities with a competition program, which should be the Japanese Super Formula. Pierre Gasly, his predecessor in the F1 lobby, did the same after his GP2 Series title.

4. Grand Prix course (Formula 1) of Théo Pourchaire

The Habs made their first laps in an F1 in Hungary, in the summer of 2021, at the wheel of the Alfa Romeo C38 in private testing. A member of the Sauber Academy, the Frenchman is expected to take part in at least two free practice sessions 1 in 2022 with Alfa Romeo Racing.

Théo Pourchaire during his first test in F1 at the wheel of the Alfa Romeo C38 © Antonin Vincent / DPPI

5. Our opinion on Théo Pourchaire

On a meteoric trajectory, the Frenchman is endowed with extraordinary talent. Extremely gifted in all respects, Théo Pourchaire notably proved his great value in racing, during his year of Formula 3. In Formula 2, he also showed his abilities on a lap by often playing placed. Holder of several records for precocity, the young man was able to overcome the stages one after the other. With remarkable maturity, the Habs managed to win the champion title. He is not giving up on his dream of getting into F1 by 2025.

6. Learn more about Théo Pourchaire

• Théo Pourchaire crowned Formula 2 champion, the last for Jack Doohan
• Théo Pourchaire, champion but (unfortunately) still deprived of Formula 1
• Théo Pourchaire: “I arrive home with the title, mom and dad, that’s not bad! »