Theo Pourchaire’s career stalled during the 2024 season because he didn’t compete in a full championship campaign.
The Frenchman won the Formula 2 title last season with ART but was overlooked by Formula 1 teams despite having a link to Sauber.
Pourchaire got the better of Frederik Vesti, who is shifting his focus to endurance racing after testing the Cadillac Hypercar in Bahrain.
The Frenchman originally planned to compete in Super Formula but only competed in the season opener at Suzuka.
He then moved to IndyCar to drive for Arrow McLaren and made his debut on the unforgiving streets of Long Beach. But Pourchaire didn’t complete the IndyCar season after being replaced by Nolan Siegel.
McLaren’s shock decision to axe Pourchaire despite guaranteeing him the rest of the year left the Frenchman without a drive. So, Peugeot sensed it as their opportunity to test the Grasse in the end-of-year WEC Rookie Test in Bahrain.
After 19 laps in a Hypercar and a best time of 1:51.926, Pourchaire has told sportscar365 why a reserve driver role with Peugeot in the WEC may be a good option.
A reserve role with Peugeot could help Theo Pourchaire ‘get a full-time seat’
Peugeot entered the Hypercar category in the World Endurance Championship midway through the 2022 season to contest the final three rounds.
The French manufacturer have developed since then with a two-car entry and some top talent including Stoffel Vandoorne and Jean-Eric Vergne.
Peugeot didn’t have the ultimate speed to challenge Porsche and Toyota at the front of the field but steadily improved.
They scored their first points of the season when the No. 93 car took ninth place at the 6 Hours of Imola, which may have lifted the team.
Peugeot ended the season on a high, taking third place in the final round of the season in Bahrain. They had a slice of luck after the No. 51 Ferrari received a post-race penalty.
Pourchaire feels there are many chances to race in the WEC, and it could be a good step for his career and his struggles in 2024 after testing the Peugeot.
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He said: “It’s been a tough year, not being able to do a full season, trying to find solutions and opportunities. The WEC is the championship where there are the most opportunities.
“I am for sure looking to drive in a series [full-time] next year, and actually race. As a racing driver you need to feel that pressure, to improve and to stay at a high level. Let’s see, but a reserve driver role would be good. It could help me get a full-time seat.”
WEC has seen a lot of young drivers race in the championship
Endurance racing has changed in recent years, and there are now a lot more younger drivers on the grid in the WEC than previously.
Drivers like Robert Shwartzman and Mick Schumacher raced in the Hypercar class for AF Corse and Alpine this season.
The pair performed well and showed there can be a pathway for young drivers in endurance racing away from F1 and single-seaters.
After being overlooked, Pourchaire is unlikely to race in Formula 1, and the WEC may provide a good opportunity for his career with a manufacturer.