2023 F2 champion Pourchaire joins Mercedes as Development Driver

Mercedes have announced that 2023 Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire has joined the team as Development Driver.

The French racer is the newest addition to Mercedes’ driver portfolio, joining the likes of F1 racers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as well as Third Driver Fred Vesti – who finished as runner-up to Pourchaire in the 2023 F2 championship.

After finishing runner-up in the 2020 F3 season and Formula 2 in 2022, Pourchaire secured the 2023 F2 title with ART Grand Prix. The 22-year-old went on to gain experience in IndyCar in 2024 and served as a reserve for the then-named Alfa Romeo/Kick Sauber outfit.

In his position with the Sauber team he took part in three FP1 sessions across the 2022 and 2023 seasons before leaving the squad after graduating from their programme.

The French driver then progressed to endurance racing, joining Peugeot as a development driver in 2025 and he also made his World Endurance Championship debut in the same year. Alongside his Mercedes duties he will also become a full-time Hypercar driver for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies in 2026.

“The news is finally out, I’m incredibly proud and grateful to be joining Mercedes as a Development Driver,” said Pourchaire on social media.

“I grew up watching this team winning in F1 and now I have the honour to work with them and represent them.

"A big thank you to everyone involved for giving me this opportunity, I’m going to make the most of it. Let’s start the work in Brackley.”