ART’s Theo Pourchaire says he is aiming for two good races in Austria this weekend after qualifying third for Round 8 of the FIA Formula 2 season.
The Frenchman continued his impressive qualifying form this year, having failed to qualify lower than fifth in 2023.
Speaking to InsideF2’s Fraser Ford, the 19-year-old said: “It was a good job again, in the top three.
“It’s positive and I will try to do two good races.”
Pourchaire has a good starting position for both races this weekend, as he seeks to close the gap on championship leader Frederik Vesti.
Pole was possible
Pourchaire says he is happy with his qualifying pace this year and felt that pole position was possible in Austria.
His ART teammate Victor Martins grabbed the top spot on Friday for Sunday’s Feature Race.
“I had a difficult free practice,” said Pourchaire, who spun in practice, “I’m happy with P3, it’s the minimum we have to do.”
Asked what the secret to his impressive qualifying pace was, Pourchaire said: “Press the throttle harder than anyone else! And brake later of course!”
The Frenchman added that he feels qualifying is an area he has greatly improved this season.
No weather preference ahead of Sprint Race
With rain falling on Saturday morning, Fraser asked Théo whether he had a preference of a wet or dry Sprint Race in the afternoon.
“Both are good for me, we are ready for everything,” the teenager said, adding it was likely to be like the Sprint Race in Spain.
Pourchaire said a wet race would be better for overtaking, with different lines possible in the wet, creating more opportunities to gain positions.
Hitech’s Jak Crawford starts on the reverse-grid pole for Saturday’s Sprint, while Pourchaire will line up 8th, with the top eight finishers scoring points.
Image: Formula Motorsport Limited
