Guanyu Zhou will switch from Formula 2 to the premier class with Alfa Romeo in 2022. In addition, Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri is now on his way to Alpine as a reserve driver. As such, F2 has now become a key talent pool for F1, and many names are often thrown around. Theo Pourchaire was one such name; Pourchaire’ was in the mix for Alfa Romeo’s seat alongside Valtteri Bottas.
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Team boss Fred Vasseur believes the young driver will have to wait. “He won in Monaco; but we only have six days of testing before the start of the new season and that means it would have been too risky from my point of view. It was too much work to take such a step now. It’s much better to focus on the championship in F2. Then we see the future. “
I will never forget this 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. My favorite race so far. Winning there was something very special.
I also won another race in Monza and drove a Formula 1 car for the first time. I discovered so many new things!
— Théo Pourchaire (@TPourchaire) December 31, 2021
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So it wasn’t a lack of talent on the part of the rider who had a brilliant 2021 season. “He had a fantastic [debut] F2 season but we also have to consider that he was in F4 18 months ago [and] that the step between F4 and F3 was huge. “
Theo has made a growing name for himself in the world of motorsport but will only find himself behind the F1 car for practice sessions. As an 18-year-old driver, Vasseur decided not to bet on the driver, at least for now.
Valtteri Bottas ready to take on Alfa Romeo’s challenge
While Vasseur has his fears for Pourchaire, he retains great faith in Valtteri Bottas. With the Finn bringing experience from Williams and Mercedes, the boss hopes to see him, Coach Zhou, in his rookie season.
Pledged his place in the spotlight for Bottas, Vasseur said: “He will be at the heart of our project. It will be a pillar of the team’s development. That’s probably not quite the case with Mercedes because he’s always been a bit overshadowed by Lewis.”
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Instead, Bottas has the responsibility of leading the team. “He will need to bring his own experience and be a key factor in the development of the company and the team. That will certainly give him more responsibility.”
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As such, the team is looking forward to working with their new frontman and Bottas is looking forward to taking over the rings. Will the move from the top team on the grid to the ninth best team motivate Bottas to push his Alfa Romeo to the limit?
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