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Mega-talent (18) may suffer the same fate as Piastri this year in 2023

Mega-talent (18) may suffer the same fate as Piastri this year in 2023

11-08-2022 18:48 Last update: 19:20
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GPblog.com

Oscar Piastri became Formula 2 champion last season, but failed to find a spot in Formula 1 before 2022. It is possible that the same scenario awaits Theo Pourchaire. It seems highly uncertain that the eighteen-year-old Frenchman will be able to make his debut in the premier class of motor racing next year.

Pourchaire is attached to Alfa Romeo Racing's talent programme, but at least Valtteri Bottas is under contract for 2023. Team boss Frederic Vasseur has also praised rookie Guanyu Zhou on several occasions. The Chinese driver does not yet have a contract for next season, but whether the team wants to say goodbye to Zhou after just one year... There are, in fact, compliments in abundance from the team management.

Pourchaire in 2023

Pourchaire himself says he is sure that he will not race another season in Formula 2. He is currently in his second year, after finishing fifth in 2021. If he becomes champion, he will not be allowed to compete for another year, but if he fails to take the top spot in the standings, he will not be seen again.

"This is definitely my last season in Formula 2," Pourchaire told France Racing. Financially it would not be feasible and moreover it would not add that much to become a better driver. Should Pourchaire not be offered a spot at Alfa Romeo, what will happen then?"Then I don't know what I will do. That is a good question. We haven't thought about that with my entourage yet. We will see. There could be different possibilities."

Pourchaire will be able to take on the role of test and reserve driver anyway, just as Piastri did with Alpine this season. He may be able to combine that role with racing in another class such as the DTM. Alexander Albon followed that route last year, before returning to Formula 1 at Williams.

F2 title chances

The current number two in the F2 championship stresses that his main focus for the coming months is to win the title. His gap to leader Felipe Drugovich is 21 points with four weekends to go; Spa-Francorchamps, Zandvoort, Monza and Abu Dhabi.