Deserve a chance in Formula 1

(Motorsport-Total.com) – When it comes to the open Sauber cockpit for next year, one name is mentioned surprisingly rarely: Theo Pourchaire. But the Frenchman actually has the ideal prerequisites. The 21-year-old is the reigning Formula 2 champion and has been part of the Sauber Academy for years. And Pourchaire could learn a lot from Nico Hülkenberg’s side.

And yet he seems to be left out of the fight for the cockpit. He was not even able to take part in Friday training for the Swiss team – Ferrari junior Robert Schwarzman was surprisingly allowed to do that in Zandvoort.

What has to happen for Pourchaire to get a chance in Formula 1? “I ask myself that question too – every day,” says the youngster in an interview with Motorsport-Total.com.

“I don’t know. I did my best on the track. Of course there are people who say it doesn’t look great to win Formula 2 in the third year, but I won it at the age of 20,” he says. “I am the youngest race winner in Formula 2 and Formula 3. I don’t have to prove anything. I just need an opportunity, that’s all.”

But that is not always the case in Formula 1. His predecessor Felipe Drugovich is also one of the drivers who won Formula 2 and has not yet been given a chance. However, other drivers such as Logan Sargeant, Guanyu Zhou or the youngest Franco Colapinto have been given a chance even though they did not win Formula 2.

“Earn my chance”

“If you’re in my position, then of course it looks unfair,” he has to admit. “I think it’s also unfair for Drugovich, for example. He won the title, but it is what it is. That’s the Formula 1 world,” says Pourchaire.

He himself is currently just happy to be in the paddock at all, although he regrets that people seem to quickly forget what he achieved at a young age. Because even though it took him three years in Formula 2, he is still only 21 years old. “I am young enough to be here and to be considered,” he says.

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Pourchaire has been a Sauber junior and test driver for several years

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“It’s a little sad, but I’m still here and I deserve my chance,” said Pourchaire. “I hope I can get it one day. I’m ready to give it my all. I just have so much passion for this sport,” he stressed.

“I’m not asking for anything. I just want a seat and a steering wheel and my chance in the car.”

Dream of the Audi cockpit

If that is not the case, Pourchaire will have to look for other alternatives. The WEC or Formula E are conceivable alternatives for him, he says. In 2024, he started the season in the Japanese Super Formula, but only left after one race to replace the injured David Malukas at Arrow McLaren in the IndyCar series.

He was later confirmed as a regular driver for the rest of the season, only to lose his cockpit again a few races later because McLaren saw the opportunity to establish and bind young talent Nolan Siegel. This means that Pourchaire currently has no racing cockpit at all.

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“It’s tough,” he admits, but tries to stay positive: “I’m grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to drive all the best cars in the world. And I’m sure the best is yet to come.”

The best thing for him would certainly be the cockpit at Sauber and being involved in the Audi project. “It would be a dream for me to be part of such a big project and a legendary brand like Audi,” he says. “I’m ready to drive for a team like that. I’m young, but I’m ready for it. And they know for sure that I’m there. If they want me: I’m here and ready.”