Pourchaire faces future with enthusiasm: 'Great amount of work done'

The unveiling of Alfa Romeo's C43 marked the first Formula 1 launch for Theo Pourchaire. An exciting moment for the 19-year-old Frenchman, who apart from being a reserve driver for Alfa Romeo is also active in Formula 2.

Pourchaire enthusiastically begins his role as reserve driver for the Swiss team. "I have seen the great amount of work that has been put into bringing the car from paper to reality," he said at the Alfa Romeo launch. "There is of course great expectation, and I am looking forward to seeing the C43 hitting the track in just a few days."

Shakedown Alfa Romeo in Barcelona

Prior to the test days in Bahrain, the team will conduct a shakedown with the C43 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This test is scheduled later this week. Just under two weeks later, Alfa Romeo will travel to Bahrain for the winter test, scheduled from 23 to 25 February.

Pourchaire will compete for ART Grand Prix in 2023, but he will also be on standby for Alfa Romeo. He is also expected to be in action during F1 sessions: in fact, each driver has to give up his car to a rookie once during a first free practice session.

Pourchaire has had two full seasons in Formula 2. Last year, he finished the championship in second place behind champion Felipe Drugovich, so he is considered one of the top favourites for the title in 2023. Should he capture the title, he will have to hope F1 has room for him. Another year in F2 would no longer be an option, and so there is a risk that he, like Oscar Piastri in 2022 and Felipe Drugovich in 2023, will be on the reserve bench.