Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
Theo Pourchaire came into the Formula 2 finale at Abu Dhabi with a 25-point advantage over Prema’s Frederik Vesti, but qualifying 14th put him on the back foot.
After becoming champion, the ART Grand Prix driver explained the reasons behind his worst qualifying of the year.
“Unfortunately, I was not driving very well, but we also had a small issue on the car,” he said. “We had a small water leak on the car. We had to change some parts for the sprint race.
“But I mean I didn’t do a great job in quali, so starting P14 for both races, it was really stressful because I knew Fred was in the top 10 and he had an opportunity to win the sprint race. He won a lot of sprint races this season, so I knew starting from P2 for him he was going to win it. I was sure about this. I was hoping for Enzo [Fittipaldi] to win the race or anybody else, but Fred on the reversed grid is really hard to beat.”
Pourchaire reckoned his Formula 1 free practice outing with Alfa Romeo Racing also affected his performance in F2 qualifying just half an hour later.
“It was really difficult. I mean I’m super happy I had another opportunity to drive in F1. I enjoyed so much, it was crazy, I loved it every single lap. And I had the chance to put soft tyres. I did some great laps, so it was fun.
“Jumping from F2 to F1, and then from F1 to F2, I was really tired as well. Mentally, physically, really tired in the F2 qualifying. But I did my best. I was a bit tired, but we also had a small issue on the car in quali, so that’s why I was not so quick.
“But not easy, not easy,” he stressed. “I will have more time on Tuesday to drive the F1 car and I will take it more easy, and with more laps I will have time to enjoy more a well.”
Despite the qualifying result, Pourchaire was still convinced he could win the title, and after clinching it in Sunday’s feature race he was delighted.
“I knew I was going to be fast because in practice I was fast. It was just a small issue on the car in quali, and I didn’t put the lap together. So I could have been in the top 10 like Fred. So I was still confident. For sure, it was not easy to be 14th on the grid, but still confident. I knew all year we had a great pace in the race.
“I’m so proud of myself, so proud of my team, so proud of everybody that worked with me that helped me to achieve this goal. I’m the new F2 champion. It’s crazy to say it. It’s unbelievable. I’m super happy. Super tired as well. It’s a very, very important season in my career, an important title. I’m champion, it’s crazy.”