2022 FIA Formula 2 runner-up Théo Pourchaire has been named as the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake reserve driver for 2023.
The Frenchman has won five F2 races, made his F1 debut in 2022 by driving in Free Practice 1 for the United States Grand Prix in October for Alfa Romeo.
Pourchaire, who remains in F2 with ART Grand Prix for a third season, said: “Being part of the Sauber Academy is a massive opportunity for me, and I am thankful for that.
The 19-year-old added: “This year will be a busy one, splitting my time between Formula 2 and my reserve driver duties, but I am ready and motivated for the challenge.”
Sporting Director of Sauber Motorsport, Beat Zehnder said Pourchaire’s progress is a source of “great pride” for Sauber.
Pourchaire has been with the Sauber Academy since 2019, winning the 2019 ADAC Formula 4 championship that year, before graduating to Formula 3 in 2020 and F2 in 2021.
The 2023 Sauber Academy also includes Swiss racer Léna Bühler, French-Finnish driver Marcus Amand and Taym Saleh.
25-year-old Bühler will drive in the inaugural F1 Academy season for ART, Amand moves into the Formula Regional European Championship after two years in ADAC F4 in Germany and Italy, while Saleh will continue his karting career.
Sporting Director Zehnder said that helping young talent has always been, “at the centre” of Sauber Motorsport’s philosophy, describing the 2023 roster as, “very promising”.
Image: Sauber Motorsport
