Theo Pourchaire has proven he is an incredibly talented driver, winning the Formula 2 championship in 2023 for ART and adapting well to the IndyCar Series.
The Frenchman was consistently competitive throughout his career in the junior series below F1, finishing third in French F4 and winning the ADAC Formula 4 championship in Germany.
He also became the youngest driver ever to win a Formula 2 race, winning the Feature Race at Monaco in 2021.
Despite his immense talent and being a part of the Sauber driver academy, Pourchaire has been overlooked for a seat in Formula 1 and suffered a tricky, brief spell in IndyCar with Arrow McLaren this year.
Pourchaire will still be looking to step up to F1, and Peter Windsor gave his verdict on the 21-year-old on his own YouTube channel.
Peter Windsor believes Theo Pourchaire will have to be ‘truly exceptional’ in another series to move into F1
Pourchaire’s career has stuttered since winning the Formula 2 championship at the end of 2023, not competing in a full season of racing this year.
The Frenchman originally planned to race in Super Formula before moving to IndyCar. But he didn’t complete the season as McLaren suddenly dropped Pourchaire to sign Noah Siegel.
READ MORE: Theo Pourchaire reveals the two championships he is looking to compete in for 2025
This has been frustrating for the 21-year-old as Pourchaire painfully missed out on a drive in Formula 1 for this season.
Windsor explained how the 2023 F2 champion may be able to drive in F1 in the future and revive his stalling career after a successful stint in the junior series.
He said: “A bit early to say it [Pourchaire’s IndyCar stint] was disappointing. I’d give him a chance. A and B, he is very good. He’s not the guy I don’t think who can just jump into a car and immediately impress.
“I think he’s the guy that works with the team very well, gets to know the team, that gets a bit of mileage under him, and I think he’ll go very well in any good car.
“His main hope now, I guess, has to be, because I think he’s still on the Sauber deal, is that somewhere along the line, hopefully for 2026, he might be in that race car. To do that, he’s got to be really involved with the project now and/or doing something truly exceptional in some other branch.”
Theo Pourchaire could still have an opportunity in Formula 1 for 2025
Pourchaire has been part of the Sauber Formula 1 team as a reserve driver for multiple seasons and has also participated in multiple FP1 sessions.
Despite his involvement within the Swiss team, the Frenchman seems to be an outside candidate to partner Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber ahead of Audi’s takeover in 2026.
Other drivers such as Franco Colapinto and current Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto are in contention for the Sauber seat and actively racing, which could put them in a better position for the drive.