Theo Pourchaire still has to wait for his Formula 1 debut
Discussions with Andretti over a possible takeover of the Sauber Group postponed a final decision on who 2022 would be teammates with new signing Valtteri Bottas. The failure of said talks meant Japanese driver Guanyu Zhou was given the seat alongside Bottas.
Without a deal with Andretti that would have resulted in a surprise move from Indycar driver Colton Herta to Formula 1 it always looked like Zhou would take second place at Alfa Romeo.
The combination of the experienced Bottas and a young Abilities like Zhou – backed by Chinese sponsors – formed an ideal one Cast for the crew.
Bottas has signed a multi-year contract and will be the man to rely on to prepare Alfa Romeo for the future. Regarding Zhou, shortly after the announcement of his departure, team boss Frederic Vasseur stated that he hopes for a “long-term cooperation” with Formula 2 Abilities.
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But future driver decisions might not be that easy for Vasseur and Sauber because the 18-year-old Frenchman Theo Pourchaire has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting talents in the well-known junior series turns out.
Pourchaire’s steep ascent left an impression
Pourchaire came first in contact with the Sauber junior academy when he was still driving in Formula 4. He clinched the German title that year before moving up to Formula 3 with ART Broad Prix – the crew founded by Vasseur. He fought for the title with Oscar Piastri to the end and lost by just three points.
The next big step for Pourchaire was promotion to Formula 2 – after only 18 Months earlier in Formula 4 battle. But he took it with flying colors.
Back at ART, he finished fifth in the championship with two wins including a dominant performance in the Monaco race where he went from pole to win. At the time he didn’t even have a driving license.
The breakthrough at Monaco made Pourchaire the youngest pole-sitter and winner in Formula 2 history, which led to the inevitable question: could Alfa Romeo suit the up-and-coming Superstar already give a chance in Formula 1?
Pourchaire had his first outing in a Formula 1 car at the Hungaroring in August 2021 as part of a private test in which he was driving the 2019er Alfa Romeo C17. It was an opportunity he fully enjoyed, but it was no precursor to promotion the following year.
After Zhou’s announcement, Vasseur said he felt it was “too risky”. So early to convey Pourchaire. So he will spend another year in Formula 2 at ART.
Vasseur against quick shot: Everything has to fit
Vasseur maintained his view that there was still a lot to learn for the Frenchman in the junior categories: “I’m of it convinced that he still needs to improve in some areas. But he understood the discussion very well.”
“He’s a smart guy. He understood the system perfectly. It’s tough because when the season starts you have six days of testing, three per driver. It can be snowing in Spain and sandy in Bahrain and arriving in Bahrain with zero kilometers. We have to consider all aspects.”
“But when you are close to Formula 1 – and I told Theo that too – it’s not the goal to drive in Formula 1. The goal is to drive in Formula 1 in a good way and to be successful It’s a completely different story.”
“Because if you make it into Formula 1 and are out after a year, that’s a big catastrophe,” says Vasseur. “But now you’re close to Formula 1 and the goal is to do well there. To do well you have to be well prepared physically, technically and as a driver. You have to know the tracks.”
“It’s such a complicated system. If something is missing, you’re dead.” For this reason, Alfa Romeo did not want to risk burning Pourchaire too early.
Where the crew will be in the pecking order under the new rules is impossible to say, although there is a high probability . In any case, Zhou’s support will help him stay close to the budget ceiling, which Vasseur believes will lead to a “different mentality” in Hinwil.
They want to build for a strong, sustainable future . For the same reason, Sauber is also focusing on a long-term perspective with Pourchaire. His rise was so rapid that he 2019 for a season for the first time will remain in the same racing series.
If he can follow up on his impressive first year in Formula 2 and take the title, that would give Vasseur a bit of a headache, but it would be further proof of that, what special abilities he has in his ranks.
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