Sauber reserve Pourchaire looks to have new home, ex-F1 driver absent

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theo pourchaire tests super formula in japan
4 December 2023 at 09:00
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  • Ludo van Denderen

There seems to be increasing clarity about Theo Pourchaire's future. The Formula 2 champion has not found a seat in Formula 1, although he will be Sauber's test and reserve driver next season. Moreover, a temporary move to Super Formula in Japan is increasingly real, especially now that the Japanese racing class has announced Pourchaire is coming to test this week.

The young Frenchman (20) will race from 6 and 7 December for Impul, a team belonging to Japanese carmaker Impul, according to the test participant list. Impul has two spots free for next season, as McLaren test driver Ryo Hirakawa will focus on the World Endurance Championship (WEC), while Yuhi Sekiguchi should look elsewhere after a difficult season.

Pourchaire looks back with good feelings

So, after three years in Formula 2, Pourchaire is increasingly likely to get the chance to go for the very top in Japan. After securing his title in Abu Dhabi, he revealed to the likes of GPblog of looking back on his years in F2 with a good feeling: "I think I did my best throughout those three years in Formula 2. I'm the youngest ever pole sitter, and youngest ever race winner. I won in Monaco. I did my best," Pourchaire said.

One notable name is missing from the list of participants in the test. Former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat was expected to test a Super Formula car, but the former driver of Red Bull Racing, among others, is missing. The reason for the absence is unknown.