Theo Pourchaire: What to expect from Super Formula's newest Fast Frenchman

Formula 2's newest champion comes to Super Formula in a bid to boost his F1 credentials - but can he recover his lost career momentum?

All photos: JRP

The Super Formula grid has been blessed with its fair share of rapid French drivers over the past two decades: Benoit Treluyer, Loic Duval, Pierre Gasly, Sacha Fenestraz. And it may not be long before Japanese fans hear La Marseillaise again following last month’s confirmation that Theo Pourchaire will race for Team Impul in 2024.

Of his four fellow countrymen listed above, Pourchaire’s situation is most analogous to that of Gasly. In 2017, Gasly came to Japan as the reigning GP2 champion, having not done quite enough to convince Red Bull of a direct promotion to F1. Outwardly, Pourchaire is in a similar position, having won last year’s F2 title (albeit not in the most convincing fashion) and yet was unable to land a drive at the highest level with Sauber, the team that has supported his career since 2019.

That’s where the similarities end, however. Unlike Red Bull, Sauber only has two seats to offer, and the added complication of Audi’s looming takeover of the Swiss team means it could be less open to hiring a rookie. That means, unlike Gasly seven years ago, Pourchaire’s future in F1 isn’t entirely within his own hands.