Theo Pourchaire relays his feelings of first proper FIA WEC test with Peugeot in the development programme at Paul Ricard.
Already on track with the 9X8 during the Rookie Tests in Bahrain, the former Formula 2 champion (2023), now appointed as test and development driver for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, recently participated in his first endurance session at the Castellet circuit.
Théo Pourchaire faced many new challenges during his first real working session with the Lion-branded team. However, the talented 21-year-old French driver kept his smile throughout the 48-hour period. “We drove a lot, which is very positive,” said the driver from the French Riviera after stepping out of the tricolor prototype.
“There was little downtime, allowing all the drivers to complete a lot of laps. I think it’s the first time I’ve driven so much! It’s positive because I have so much to learn, whether it’s working with engineers and mechanics or adapting to driving this car, which is completely new to me. It’s a car with a lot of systems and technology to understand.“
His experience in Bahrain ensured he wasn’t diving into the unknown. “Here at Castellet,” he continued, “it’s much cooler, so it’s more comfortable inside the cockpit. I was very surprised by the heat inside the car in Bahrain, as I wasn’t used to driving a closed vehicle. I had to adapt to it. The Castellet circuit, with its many long straights, was also a bit less physically demanding.”
Nevertheless, he experienced a real baptism of fire in the discipline, with all its inherent challenges. “We drove at night,” he confirmed. “I had already competed in nighttime F2 races, but with a lot of lighting. Here, it’s completely different; you’re almost in the dark, relying solely on the headlights to see. It’s a different atmosphere. It was also raining around 2 a.m., so it wasn’t easy, but it was a really cool experience. It gave me my first real taste of what endurance racing is like!”
Thanks to the warm welcome from all the members of Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, his integration and adaptation have been remarkably quick: “I learn lap after lap, and the team, along with the other drivers, helps me a lot to understand things and adapt quickly. Everything went super well; I get along with everyone, and it feels like I’ve been part of the team for a long time. Everything feels very natural. It’s great for me to gain experience like this before the season begins. When I go to the simulator, I’ll be able to correlate my feelings with the ones I experienced on the track, helping the team improve the car even further.”
Above all, Théo has stood out for his humility and perfectionism. “There are so many new parameters for me,” he concluded, “whether it’s managing tires, fuel, pit stops—so many things I’ve never done before—that I feel like I’m improving every time, yet still far from reaching my full potential. But honestly, everything was positive, and I already can’t wait to do it again!” For now, it’s time to enjoy the end-of-year holidays to recharge his batteries.
[The story is as per press release]
