ART’s Théo Pourchaire says he is hoping for a clean start to the 2023 FIA Formula 2 season this weekend in Bahrain.
The Frenchman was runner-up in 2022 to Brazilian driver Felipe Drugovich, and returns to the series for a third season, aiming to go one step better this time around.
“For 2 years in a row, Round 1 has not been very clean. I won last year, but we had an issue in the first race.”
The five-time F2 race winner added: “I hope to have great pace and I will give my best this season to get the best result possible.”
Pourchaire will represent the Sauber Academy again in 2023 and race in the colours of the Alfa Romeo Sauber Formula 1 team after being named the team’s reserve driver for this season.
The 19-year-old said he was excited to return to the Sakhir circuit.
“Racing at the Bahrain International Circuit is very good. It’s a good track with lots of overtaking opportunities,” the Frenchman explained.
Pourchaire added: “It’s normally a hard track for tyre management, but last year it was not so difficult.” The Sakhir circuit is considered to have one of the most abrasive track surfaces on the calendar, which results in races with lots of action.
Qualifying is on Friday at 19:30 Arabian Standard Time (AST), with the Sprint Race at 16:15 AST on Saturday.
Lights out for Sunday’s Feature Race, the first of the season is at 13:20 AST.
Credit: Formula Motorsport Limited
