FIA Formula 2 driver Théo Pourchaire was delighted to get his first taste of F1 machinery earlier this month as he took part in an “unforgettable” test day with Alfa Romeo at the Hungaroring.
Following the test day, the young Frenchman said: “A dream came true, I drove for the first time of my life a Formula 1 car. I remember dreaming of that day as a kid.”
Pourchaire, who celebrated his 18th birthday just last week, is a Sauber Academy driver, giving him the opportunity to drive with Sauber’s Alfa Romeo-branded F1 team.
The 2020 F3 runner-up took the reins of the 2019 Alfa Romeo C38, getting accustomed to the complexity and incredible performance of an F1 car, while also familiarising himself with the team that he will hope to join in the future.
He was keen to show his appreciation for the team, thanking “The whole Alfa Romeo ORLEN team for this amazing experience and unforgettable day.”
Sauber boss Frédéric Vasseur will no doubt be paying close attention to the progress of the exciting young talent, who took a maiden pole position and Feature Race victory around the streets of Monaco during the second round of the championship, becoming the youngest-ever F2 race winner.
The Sauber Academy driver sits in sixth place in the FIA Formula 2 championship at the halfway point in the season, having bounced back from a broken wrist sustained in an accident in Baku to drive through the pain at the following round in Silverstone.
The ART GP driver might feel disappointed to not be higher up the order, with his championship ambitions dealt a hefty blow by a retirement in Bahrain and his injury in Baku.
Nevertheless, Pourchaire has shown excellent potential, and is an exciting prospect for the future, who we may see behind the wheel of an F1 car again soon.
He will hope to move back up the order when the F2 championship resumes in Monza next month, with everything still to play for in the latter half of the season.
Credit: Photo Antonin Vincent / DPPI
