Théo Pourchaire took a moment at the end of a successful Silverstone weekend to appreciate what he called his “Favourite track” on the FIA Formula 2 Championship calendar.
He followed up a podium finish in the Sprint Race with P3 in the Feature Race, on what may prove to be a crucial weekend for the title race.
His main championship rival and current leader in the standings Frederik Vesti beat him to the Sprint Race win, but then failed to score any points in the crucial Feature Race, reducing his lead to just six points.
Reflecting on his time at the British circuit, he said: “I love Silverstone, it’s my favourite track with Monaco. Driving here is always special; it’s a legendary track.
“I love the people here, they really enjoy racing, they come to see the Formula 3 at eight in the morning – they are motorsport fans.”
The French driver put on a show for those fans, with an excellent battle with Arthur Leclerc, as he was passed by his rival, but then fought back when Leclerc’s tyres faded.
He said: “It was a crazy battle. He was a little bit over the limit I would say into T15, but I can understand – he tried everything to keep his position and he was struggling on the option tyres, but it was fun and we made some great moves.”
Vesti has enjoyed great form, and the Feature Race proved a rare blip for him. He found himself sandwiched between two cars as the group bunched up at a Safety Car restart, and was taken out of the running through no fault of his own.
That sets up Pourchaire with an opportunity to wrestle back control of the championship during the next F2 double-header in Hungary and Belgium.
He said: “I’m really happy, the one weekend break will feel much better now, and I’m feeling confident for the next two races.”
Image: ART GP / Formula Motorsport Limited
