2022 Formula 2 vice-champion Theo Pourchaire has decided to stay with ART for a third season in a bid to finally claim the title.
Nineteen-year-old Theo Pourchaire has been announced as the first driver for ART Grand Prix ahead of the 2023 Formula 2 championship. The Frenchman has opted to remain in the series and with the team for a third season after missing out on the title last year. He is the 20th driver to be announced for next season.
The 2022 Season
Pourchaire graduated to Formula 2 in 2021 after finishing runner-up in the 2020 Formula 3 championship. After finishing fifth with ART in his debut season (taking two wins and another podium) Pourchaire remained with the French team for 2022.
The opening round in Bahrain was bittersweet as he retired from the Sprint Race but won the Feature Race. From then on he was locked in a championship battle with MP Motorsport’s Felipe Drugovich. However, a series of retirements and races without scoring points allowed Drugovich to run away with the title, ultimately winning by a 101-point difference.
Following the finale in Abu Dhabi, there was much speculation as to where Pourchaire would be racing for next season, with rumors swirling about a move to Super Formula. However, in November Pourchaire participated in the Formula 2 post-season test along with 2022 Formula 3 champion Victor Martins. Alongside his duties in Formula 2, Pourchaire will be Alfa Romeo’s reserve driver for the Formula 1 season.
POURCHAIRE 🤜🤛 ART
Our 2022 runner up is sticking with the French squad for 2023! ✨#F2 #RoadToF1 pic.twitter.com/jT0hcravZ6
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) January 19, 2023
Following the statement, Pourchaire stated:
“I couldn’t be happier to extend my career in this top-level Formula 2 championship with ART Grand Prix, which has become a family to me. We have had intense moments over the past three years and it’s important to prepare for the 2023 championship with a team that knows me and knows how to put me in the best possible situations.”
Sébastien Philippe (Team Principal of ART) added:
“Théo will still be one of the youngest drivers on the grid, but he has acquired a technical and personal maturity which, combined with his speed and his combativeness, will be a major asset to be consistently at the front of the field and will help the team in its technical focus.”
2023 F2 Lineup
- ART Grand Prix: Theo Pourchaire & TBD
- Campos Racing: Ralph Boschung & Kush Maini
- Carlin Racing: Zane Maloney & Enzo Fittipaldi
- DAMS Racing: Arthur Leclerc & Ayumu Iwasa
- Hitech Grand Prix: Isack Hadjar & Jak Crawford
- MP Motorsport: Dennis Hauger & TBD
- PHM Racing by Charouz: Roy Nissany and Brad Benavides
- PREMA Powerteam: Oliver Bearman & Frederick Vesti
- Trident Racing: Clement Novalak & Roman Stanek
- Virtuosi Racing: Jack Doohan & Amaury Cordeel
- Vans Amersfoort Racing: Richard Verschoor & Juan Manuel Correa
