Theo Pourchaire, the champion of F2, is disappointed to not drive in F1 next year. Instead of Formula 1, the 20-year-old Frenchman will drive in the Super Formula series in Japan. During the press conference at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony, the driver says what he thinks about this.
At the press conference, Pourchaire is tired, less than a day earlier he was in Japan testing for Super Formula. ''I think 18 hours ago. I was still in Japan. So the jet lag is a bit difficult to manage right now. I'm a bit tired," the driver explained in Baku. He continued: ''I was there for the Super Formula testing because next year unfortunately, I will not be on the Formula 1 grid, which, of course, I'm a bit disappointed because it's a dream to be a Formula 1 driver. As a F2 champion, for me, I think I was deserving a position there. But it's like this. It's life.''
Pourchaire in Japan
OK, no F1 then. How does he like Super Formula so far? ''It was my first time in Japan this week,'' says the Frenchman, ''The people there are amazing. It's a completely different culture. The car is fast. I discovered Suzuka as well. Suzuka is a crazy track. It's so fast and so difficult.'' He continues: ''But I talked to some F1 drivers before going there. They were always telling me Suzuka is an amazing track. It's one of my favorites. I never drove there. I cannot tell you. But definitely now, I think it's one of the best tracks in the world.''
I do think he has a point.
There's usually a minimum of 20 drivers on the grid in F1, and 2024 will see a lot of contracts ending (or extending).
There could've been a seat for recent F2 champions.
Maybe some of the new faces will actually be F2 champs.
On the other hand, there's drivers like Max Verstappen, who never even competed in F2.
But i do think that it is a bit odd that drivers know where to go from early on, karting, F3, F2, and then when they've reached that last step, suddenly there's a step missing to F1.
A lot of other opportunities open up, but that is usually not "the plan", as you don't specifically want to go sideways when you've been going up the whole time.
I guess that is what makes F1 the "pinnacle", but it sure doesn't help to have paid drivers in the seats.
But i think F2 champions should be given a reserve driver seat, not necessarily to fill the main seat soon, but just to give them practice, and who knows maybe they are actually good and they can take the seat soon.
F2 champs should be popular trade goods for the F1 teams, and F2 champs should almost have the luxury of choice, kinda like draft picks.
For example, F1 teams may have a maximum of 3 reserves, and they have to keep an eye on F2 to see whether they can pick up a promising talent while also juggling contracts and drivers in their team, maybe leading up to trades and whatnot.
There is already a rule that champions in F3 or F2 has to leave the category and are not allowed to be in that category again.
Maybe they can come up with a rule that any F2 champions, especially those who wins it in their rookie season, will be guaranteed an F1 seat the following season.
In Pourchaire's case, he is not really that fantastic a driver, as he never won his F3 championship and took 3 seasons to finally win the F2 title.
Definitely not in the same league as Charles, Russell or Piastry.
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