Credit: INDYCAR
Théo Pourchaire had his IndyCar debut at Long Beach last weekend.
Given little preparation, Pourchaire stepped up and put the Arrow Mclaren in P11. He even claimed the award for the biggest mover and being the top rookie in the race.
The opportunity arose through David Malukas’ off-season wrist injury along with the schedule clashes of the past Indycar driver, Callum Illot, who had originally filled in.
Pourchaire expressed he was “Really happy with how everything went in Long Beach,” heralding his biggest mover award as “Incredible for his first IndyCar race,” in a press conference ahead of this weekend’s race.
He admitted “it was really cool,” racing in IndyCar marvelling “I was able to be quick in the race, which makes it even better.”
The French driver also praised the Mclaren Arrow team for the help ahead of Long Beach.
“It’s super important to feel ready. They prepared me very well for that.”
However, Pourchaire’s focus quickly moves on from Long Beach, not dwelling on the past weekend.
Instead, he’s focusing on Alabama ahead.
Pourchaire has been looking at areas such as Out laps, In laps, Pit stops and Race starts with his engineers in preparation.
Alabama’s Barber Circuit is a race course rather than the street circuit of Long Beach.
Despite having a race week under him, Pourchaire said he has to “rediscover” the way the car behaves in Barber because of the difference in the tracks.
He compared Barber to tracks like Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone. Tracks he is used to racing in Europe.
“Driving a car with high down force in high-speed corners, I know how to do it,” although he admitted “I’ve never tried the IndyCar in those conditions.”
He admitted the physicality will be tough, especially with the length of IndyCar races. He revealed, “I will be exhausted by the end of it, but will try to give my best.”
Coming into Barber, Pourchaire wants to focus on himself, discovering the car and working hard to have another strong, clean race.
To prepare for a new track, different to Long Beach, he has been using the simulator and onboard’s to help get to grips with the circuit.
Pourchaire has ‘a few years’ before F1
When asked about a possible F1 seat, he said, “I have a lot of time in front of me. I am only 20 years old.”
Pourchaire made it clear he was in no rush, wanting to explore his options and opportunities.
The French driver also mentioned he received good luck messages from the Stake F1 team before Long Beach, showing their support for his debut.
Coming off the back of winning the F2 championship, there is no shortage of opportunities for him.
In the last 6 months, he has driven in Super Formula, F2, F1 and IndyCar. An impressive statistic for such a young driver.
When talking about the difference between the categories, especially in comparison to IndyCar, he shared that F2 is the most similar to IndyCar, when considering downforce and steering.
However, he mentioned how differences make them difficult to compare.
He discussed how both IndyCar and Super Formula were both on his “list” last year, though admitting he was waiting for an F1 drive with Sauber.
When asked about pursuing IndyCar full time, he gladly said, “Why not come here full time in the future? It’s an option.”
Even going as far as to say, “I think about one day winning the Indy 500, winning an Indy Car Championship.”
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