Theo Pourchaire came from 14th on the grid to finish fifth at the season-ending Formula 2 race in Abu Dhabi; Pourchaire finished the campaign 11 points clear of Frederik Vesti; the 20-year-old French driver has featured in three F1 practice sessions for Alfa Romeo
Sunday 26 November 2023 12:00, UK
Theo Pourchaire sealed a maiden Formula 2 title by finishing fifth at the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi to hold off Frederik Vesti's challenge.
The ART Grand Prix driver went into the final race of the season with a 16-point cushion over Prema Racing's Vesti, and gained nine places from his starting position of 14th to guarantee the title.
Vesti, who started from ninth, put in an all-action display to take the final podium spot as Jack Doohan claimed victory.
Pourchaire's triumph comes in his third full F2 campaign, having made his debut in the F1 feeder series in the closing stages of 2020.
The 20-year-old Frenchman has appeared in three F1 practice sessions, including first practice on Friday, for Alfa Romeo, and is set to remain a part of the team in 2024.
"I'm so happy right now," Pourchaire said. "So, so tired. I gave everything.
"It was a tough weekend, a lot of driving. I had the opportunity to drive in FP1 on Friday, then I struggled a bit in qualifying and it was a very stressful weekend.
"You might see me struggle sometimes, but I will never ever give up. I wanted this title so much."
Pourchaire's only victory of the season came in the opening feature race of 2023 in Bahrain, but 10 podiums - across Sprint and full-length contests - were enough to seal the title.
Vesti, who featured for Mercedes in Friday's F1 practice, had won Saturday's Sprint to ensure the F2 title race went to the final day of the season for the first time since 2018.
Pourchaire ends the season on 203 points, with Vesti ending on 192, while Doohan's victory moved the Australian up to third in the final standings, a point clear of Ayumu Iwasa.
Pourchaire's team-mate Victor Martins finished second on the day to help secure the teams' title for ART, who finished clear of Vesti's Prema.
Sunday November 26
After the thrills of Las Vegas, Formula 1 heads to Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit for the 2023 season finale and another stunning spectacle under the lights. Watch the Abu Dhabi weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with lights out on Sunday at 1pm. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW
