From F2, Japanese Super Formula to IndyCar: Pourchaire's debut imminent?

Theo Pourchaire may make his IndyCar debut this month. The Stake F1 Team reserve driver will step into Arrow McLaren's No. 6 Chevrolet at the time when the injured David Malukas has not recovered in time for the race weekend in Long Beach (19-21 April).

The young Frenchman won the Formula 2 championship last year, which prevented him from competing in that racing class for another year. However, there was no place for him in motorsport's king class, as Stake F1 Team held on to Guanyu Zhou and Valtteri Bottas. Therefore, Pourchaire will compete in Japan's Super Formula in 2024, a class in which compatriot Pierre Gasly and Red Bull junior Liam Lawson have also previously competed.

The Super Formula calendar has only seven weekends and so Pourchaire is available to sit into the No. 6 Chevrolet in a week and a half. Actually, Callum Ilott is always on standby as a replacement, but the 25-year-old Briton has commitments in the WEC that weekend. He will drive the 6 Hours of Imola for the Herta Team Jota Porsche 963 Hypercar team.

Tony Kanaan, sporting director of Arrow McLaren, confirmed to RACER that Pourchaire could be flown in, should it become clear that the weekend in Long Beach will come too soon for Malukas.

Pourchaire aims for F1 in 2025

The still only 20-year-old Pourchaire hopes to drive in the king class of motorsport next season. The contracts of both Bottas and Zhou are coming to an end, which opens up opportunities for the talent. Zhou in particular will have to raise his level this season if he is to be considered for a contract extension. The Chinese driver has not had a great start to the season.