Alfa Romeo Racing reserve driver Theo Pourchaire has settled on staying in Formula 2 with ART Grand Prix for a third season, after being championship runner-up last year.
The 19-year-old Sauber junior has spent the last few months not knowing where his racing future lied, having gone into 2022 with the target of winning the F2 title and earning himself a promotion up to Formula 1 for 2023.
But when Pourchaire failed to do that, with his three feature race wins and four second place finishes putting him a distant second in the standings, it left his future open-ended. He was initially hesitant on staying in F2, but has now signed to stay on.
“I couldn’t be happier to extend my career in this top-level F2 championship with ART GP, which has become a family to me,” said Pourchaire.
“We have had intense moments over the past three years and it’s important to prepare for the 2023 championship with a team that knows me and knows how to put me in the best possible situations.
“We may have lacked success last year, but we gained experience that makes us even stronger. I will do everything I can to bring the title to ART GP this season.”
Pourchaire first raced for ART GP in FIA Formula 3, winning two races as a rookie and finishing as championship runner-up in 2020.
He then stepped up to F2, spending two weekends with HWA Racelab before teaming up with ART GP again and coming fifth in the standings in his rookie season with a highlight being a remarkable pole and feature race win in Monaco.
“Theo will still be one of the youngest drivers on the grid, but he has acquired a technical and personal maturity which, combined with his speed and his combativeness, will be a major asset to be consistently at the front of the field and will help the team in its technical focus,” said ART GP president Sebastien Philippe.
“Last season showed us how much every detail counts and after two seasons in F2 with Theo, ART GP’s mission will be to master everything in our power to optimize our chances of winning the title in 2023.”
Pourchaire is expected to make several F1 free practice and test outings this year with Alfa Romeo, which is operated by Sauber.