Theo Pourchaire’s standout debut for the Arrow McLaren team at Long Beach has been rewarded with his second IndyCar race days later at this weekend’s stop at Barber Motorsports Park. The Frenchman’s run from 22 nd to 11 th on Sunday in the No. 6 …
Theo Pourchaire’s standout debut for the Arrow McLaren team at Long Beach has been rewarded with his second IndyCar race days later at this weekend’s stop at Barber Motorsports Park.
The Frenchman’s run from 22nd to 11th on Sunday in the No. 6 Chevy as the latest stand-in for the injured David Malukas made it easy for the team to hold onto the 2023 Formula 2 champion for another outing.
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Speaking with RACER moments after finishing the 85-lap Long Beach race, Pourchaire was all smiles, but also did his best to hide the effects of all he endured in the cockpit during his IndyCar debut.
At Barber, which is one of the two most physically punishing circuits on the calendar, he’ll have an even harder time attacking the steering wheel with full force for the entire race.
“Looking at me now, my shoulders are hurting a lot, to be honest,” he told RACER. “I don’t want to move too much. You know, I feel okay. I’m quite surprised. It was really tough physically, but I was also prepared; I have a reserve role in Formula 1 as well, so I have to be ready at any time.
“IndyCar is a little bit more special because we don’t have any power steering and bumpy tracks like Long Beach makes it really difficult. But you know, I was prepared. I struggled a little bit, I have to be honest, but I will be more prepared for the future if I have another opportunity.”
Arrow McLaren team principal Gavin Ward and sporting director Tony Kanaan were delighted by rookie Theo Pourchaire’s debut performance in the No. 6 Chevy. Both men stood within a few feet of the Frenchman after he placed 11th on Sunday in Long Beach …
Arrow McLaren team principal Gavin Ward and sporting director Tony Kanaan were delighted by rookie Theo Pourchaire’s debut performance in the No. 6 Chevy. Both men stood within a few feet of the Frenchman after he placed 11th on Sunday in Long Beach and heaped praise on the Formula 2 champion’s clean and heady drive.
“It’s a tough spot to put him in and you can see how much he struggled to begin, but I’m impressed, man. He really did a good job,” Kanaan told RACER.
“Theo was dropped in the deep end, and you can’t be dropped in much more deeply than that,” Ward added. “There’s a lot to like about his approach. I think he’s taken the weekend at the right level of aggressiveness. He’s built up to it. He’s got better and better. Theo got all the laps in the race and got all of that learning in.”
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For Pourchaire, who wanted to race in IndyCar as he was completing his European open-wheel training, the hype matched reality across 85 laps where he improved from 22nd to 11th.
“I thought it was going to be a little bit more boring because it’s a street course, you know, so I expected the race to be like a train — everybody behind each other, because it’s tough to overtake on a street course. And in the end, I was really surprised,” he said.
“I had a really good car. That’s why I enjoyed it as well. But I didn’t do any mistakes. I drove well, I did some good overtakes. After doing my first full weekend in IndyCar, the racing here is incredible. I enjoyed it so much from practice one to the last lap of the race. It was a real pleasure. I expected IndyCar to be good, but it’s really amazing. The cars are amazing.”
Pourchaire was pleasantly surprised by the racey nature of both his car and the Long Beach street track. Josh Tons/Motorsport Images
Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi was hit by teammate Pato O’Ward early in the race and suffered slight damage that slowed his outright pace. As a result, Pourchaire was able to follow and learn from Rossi — a two-time winner at Long Beach — and crossed the finish line directly behind the No. 7 Chevy.
“You know, the guys at the front, in the top 10, are really good drivers. My teammates as well — I was behind him [Rossi] and that was really good for me; I could follow him to follow his pace, and that helped me a lot to achieve a good result,” Pourchaire said. “We were the biggest mover of the race as well. Big thanks to the team; they helped me a lot. It’s amazing.”
The 20-year-old hasn’t been confirmed by the team for next weekend’s race at Barber Motorsports Park, but after his performance at Long Beach, it would be a shock if he isn’t in the No. 6 Chevy when practice begins on Friday.
Arrow McLaren newcomer Theo Pourchaire was full of smiles after completing his first outing in an IndyCar on Friday during the opening practice session at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. The Frenchman got his first taste of the No. 6 Dallara …
Arrow McLaren newcomer Theo Pourchaire was full of smiles after completing his first outing in an IndyCar on Friday during the opening practice session at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The Frenchman got his first taste of the No. 6 Dallara DW12-Chevrolet, the first feel for Firestone tires, and his first dance with the imposing walls that line the quick 1.9-mile street course and loved every minute of it.
“The car is great to drive,” Pourchaire told RACER after placing 21st in the 27-car field. “It’s very powerful. I’m surprised by that. The power is crazy. And it’s also very difficult physically. The steering wheel is for sure heavy, but the bumps are tough so overall, I’m happy.”
The reigning FIA Formula 2 champion got to enjoy one of Long Beach’s finest products—traffic—and lost the chance to complete a full lap at speed on Firestone’s faster alternate tires. It could limit his progress in qualifying.
“I had a little bit of traffic; I didn’t complete any laps on the alternate tire, which is not a big deal in my first session in IndyCar, so I don’t care if I am finishing 21st or P1,” he said. “The most important thing is to learn, but I didn’t get to do the last two corners [without traffic] which is not so good for tomorrow’s qualifying.
“I don’t have any feeling on the alternate in Turn 10 or the hairpin, but it’s alright. I’m happy. I’m learning lap after lap and I’m happy with the feel of the car.”
Arrow McLaren Racing has landed Formula 2 champion Théo Pourchaire to replace David Malukas at Long Beach as he recovers from his injury.
The NTT IndyCar Series is ready for the race weekend in Long Beach, California, and [autotag]Arrow McLaren Racing[/autotag] has announced a driver to replace the injured David Malukas. On Thursday morning, Arrow McLaren announced that 2023 Formula 2 champion [autotag]Théo Pourchaire[/autotag] will drive the No. 6 car at the Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend,
Pourchaire is a 20-year-old driver is currently competing in the 2024 Super Formula Championship with Team Impul. This will be the 2023 Formula 2 champion’s debut in the IndyCar Series as Arrow McLaren patiently waits for Malukas to heal from his wrist surgery. Pourchaire has been wildly successful, as he represents the youngest winner in Formula 2 and Formula 3.
Arrow McLaren announced that Théo Pourchaire will race the No. 6 onsemi Arrow McLaren Chevy at the Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend.
— Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team (@ArrowMcLaren) April 18, 2024
Pourchaire has also served as a test and reserve driver for the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber in 2024. Arrow McLaren confirmed that Malukas’ recovery time has extended beyond the expected six weeks, so confirmation on the series’ next race in Alabama will come in “due course.” For now, Pouchaire will focus on his IndyCar debut and look to impress those in the sport.
Reigning Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire will make his NTT IndyCar Series debut this weekend at Long Beach with Arrow McLaren as the latest stand-in for the injured David Malukas. “This is an amazing opportunity to drive with such a legendary …
Reigning Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire will make his NTT IndyCar Series debut this weekend at Long Beach with Arrow McLaren as the latest stand-in for the injured David Malukas.
“This is an amazing opportunity to drive with such a legendary team in a legendary motorsport series like the NTT IndyCar Series,” Pourchaire said. “I’ve watched IndyCar since I was a young kid, and the racing is incredible. I was thrilled to get the call from the team. I’m grateful [they] thought of me for this opportunity and for the team at Sauber to allow me to get on track at Long Beach. I am also sorry that the opportunity came as David continues to recover. It’s not going to be an easy task, but I’m ready for it.”
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Although a six-week recovery window was expected to have Malukas ready to race at Long Beach, the healing process has not gone as swiftly as desired following the February 13 surgery he underwent to repair wrist and hand damage suffered in a biking accident. Malukas’s return is being evaluated on a race-by-race basis.
Former Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Callum Ilott has covered all of the tests and races in the No. 6 since Malukas was hurt, but with an FIA World Endurance Championship conflict taking priority over Long Beach, Arrow McLaren brought Pourchaire in as a fallback plan if Malukas was unable to drive on the legendary Southern California street course.
The Frenchman is set to wield the No. 6 Chevy and join Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi in his first big opportunity since clinching the title in Formula 1’s top development series. Despite winning the 2023 F2 crown, the 20-year-old has followed a familiar path as no opportunities to race in F1 followed his achievement.
Signed as a test and reserve driver for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, Pourchaire’s main program is Japan’s Super Formula series, where he’s signed to compete in the nine-race championship for Itochu Enex Team Impul. With back-to-back IndyCar events as the series heads straight to Alabama for the April 26-28 Barber Motorsports Park race, Arrow McLaren could have a need to retain Pourchaire for his second consecutive outing, or bring in Ilott, if Malukas is unable drive.
“It’s a shame that David’s recovery is longer than we all originally anticipated,” said team principal Gavin Ward. “He’s been working with our team trainer very closely with what rehab and strength exercises are possible at this point, and the team’s been doing a great job in the meantime to work together through the changes they’ve had since his injury.
“Theo may be an unexpected driver in the NTT IndyCar Series paddock this season, but we’re excited to see what he can do on the track in Long Beach and are thankful for Sauber in working with us to make it happen. He has a strong résumé, especially for his young age, and he’s eager to work with us and put his driving to the test this weekend.”
Theo Pourchaire says IndyCar is on his list of potential series for 2024 alongside his Alfa Romeo reserve driver role. The Frenchman is currently leading the Formula 2 championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi, and holds a 25-point …
Theo Pourchaire says IndyCar is on his list of potential series for 2024 alongside his Alfa Romeo reserve driver role.
The Frenchman is currently leading the Formula 2 championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi, and holds a 25-point advantage over Frederik Vesti with a maximum of 39 available. Pourchaire ran in FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix and says he will be reserve for Alfa Romeo next season, but that he also wants to race and IndyCar is one of his targets.
“Let’s see, I have some opportunities,” Pourchaire said. “I’m talking a lot with Alfa Romeo to see what we can do together and I will be a reserve driver for the team [next year] which is great. That’s the first good opportunity, but of course I want to do something else. It’s a priority for me; I want to drive, I want to keep myself busy and fit so let’s see. There are a few great championships.
“The best is to drive a car that is close to F1. For sure, nothing is really, really close to F1. F1 is really special, but the best is to drive a single seater that is really quick. …IndyCar, Super Formula, maybe there’s other options I don’t know, but let’s see.”
Pourchaire and Vesti were two of five F2 youngsters taking part in FP1 in Mexico — along with Jack Doohan, Ollie Bearman and Isack Hadjar — but there was frustration for the Alfa Romeo driver as he completed just four laps due to a brake system issue.
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“Small problem on the brake system,” the Frenchman said. “I cannot go too much into details, and also the team is not 100 percent sure where it comes from, but it’s motorsport — it can happen. Unfortunately it happens when I’m in the car for FP1.
“A bit disappointed for sure because I prepared myself a lot. Last time I drove was in Abu Dhabi last year, so it was a long time ago. I wanted to drive; the track looks cool. I did some small laps, but I couldn’t push as it was not so safe to push. That’s how it is.
“I had an alarm on the dashboard. The team could see as well, on the telemetry, the issue. We tried many things to solve the issue, but it didn’t work.
“I [will be fully] focused on F2 in Abu Dhabi. Let’s see if I will be driving in FP1 there. That’s most probably the only track where I can drive again in F1 so let’s see. As I said, full focus on the F2 championship; it’s my main goal, and I want to finish on a high [in my] Formula 2 career. I have a title to win; I have two titles to win because there is a team championship as well, so I think we can do great in Abu Dhabi. Maybe I will be back in F1 very soon.”
Alfa Romeo is giving its academy driver another run in F1 machinery.
Alfa Romeo is set to give its academy driver another go in a Formula 1 car later this year.
Italian publication formu1a.uno reported on Monday that Sauber academy driver Theo Pourchaire is set to drive Alfa Romeo’s 2023 challenger during a free practice session later this year. Although the team did not confirm when he’s set to take part in the practice session, the French driver told reporters that it’ll be after the Italian Grand Prix in Monza during Formula 2’s long break.
Pourchaire is currently leading F2, 12 points ahead of Mercedes academy driver Frederik Vesti. Wether or not he’ll get an F1 seat with Alfa Romeo — soon to return to the Sauber name — remains unknown, as the team still has Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas and Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu in the lineup, both who have been performing well.
Pourchaire has driven an F1 car once so far. He participated in Free Practice 1 at the United States Grand Prix in 2022, placing 18th in the standings around the Circuit of the Americas with a time of 1m 40.175s.
