McLaren offers a big break for the rising star of the F1 challenger

McLaren is set to give Stake F1 prospect and Sauber youngster Theo Pourchaire his IndyCar debut at the Long Beach Grand Prix this weekend, replacing David Malukas, who has been injured since the start of the season.

The 20-year-old is racing in the Japanese Super Formula this year, hoping to secure an F1 seat for 2025.

Finishing runner-up to Felipe Drugovich in the 2022 F2 championship, the French driver made the best of last term, taking the drivers’ title from Frederik Vesti in the Abu Dhabi season finale.

Despite this, F1 chose to retain Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu – who will compete in his first home race in F1 at the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend.

Like Drugovich at Aston Martin, Pourchaire has settled into reserve duties at Stakes, but replacing Malukas represents an opportunity to please the team, as well as the possibility of next season’s options in US-based IndyCar.

Fellow F2 graduate Callum Illot replaced Malukas at the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, in Florida.

After the announcement, Arrow McLaren team principal Gavin Ward said the team was “excited to see what he can do on the track at Long Beach”, as well as dealing with Malukas’ long absence.

“It’s a shame that David’s recovery is longer than we all expected,” he explained as part of the confirmation.

“He’s been working with our team trainer very closely on what rehabilitation and strengthening exercises are possible at this time, and the team has been doing a great job at this time working together through the changes they’ve had since his injury.

“Théo may be the most unlikely driver in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES paddock this season, but we’re excited to see what he can do on the track at Long Beach and we’re grateful to Sauber for working with us to make it happen. He has a great resume, especially for his young age, and he’s eager of working with us and test driving his car this weekend.

Pourchaire himself expressed gratitude to the team, highlighting the opportunity at hand.

“This is a great opportunity to drive with such a legendary team in such a legendary motorsport series as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” he said.

“I’ve watched INDYCAR since I was a little kid, and the racing is really good. I was happy to get the call from the team. I’m grateful that Zak, Gavin and Tony thought of me for this opportunity and for the team. At Sauber to let me go to Long Beach, I’m also sorry for the opportunity. that came as it will not be an easy task, but I am ready for it.