Theo Pourchaire has joined the Peugeot Sport FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar team as a test and development driver.
The 21-year-old Frenchman has joined the Hypercar squad after participating in the post-season WEC Rookie Test in Bahrain.
Pourchaire took to the wheel of a Peugeot 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar on the day after the 8 Hours of Bahrain finale.
With Malthe Jakobsen stepping up to a full-time seat for the 2025 season, Pourchaire has taken his place as a junior driver in the team.
Pourchaire said: “I am very excited to join Peugeot Sport as a development driver for the upcoming season; this is an incredible opportunity.
“I see it as a fresh start, as endurance racing is a new challenge for me.
“I really enjoyed the Rookie Test in Bahrain, which went very well.
“The Peugeot 9X8 is a very powerful car, unlike anything I’ve driven before.
“Endurance cars are highly advanced and cutting-edge in terms of technology, making them similar to Formula 1 cars.
“Being a test driver is a fantastic opportunity, and I’m grateful to Team Peugeot TotalEnergies for offering me this chance.
“I can’t wait to begin this new role.”
Technical director of Peugeot Sport, Olivier Jansonnie, added: ”We are delighted to welcome Theo Pourchaire to Team Peugeot TotalEnergies as a development driver.
“During the Rookie Test in Bahrain, he demonstrated great potential and an in-depth understanding of our car’s unique features.
“Theo brings a fresh perspective thanks to his single-seater experience, which is a valuable asset for the development of our endurance program.
“We are eager to work with him and fully integrate him into our team.”
A new chapter for Pourchaire in sportscars
Pourchaire never drove a sportscar before he joined Peugeot in Bahrain.
He established his motorsport career in single-seaters.
In 2023, he became the FIA Formula 2 champion and participated in selected outings in the 2024 IndyCar season.
Pourchaire will participate in private testing sessions and contribute to the technical development of the Peugeot 9X8.
During the second round of the now-completed 2024 season, Peugeot unveiled a heavily revised 9X8 which most notably featured a rear wing.
He will also be in a position to step in should a regular WEC team driver be unavailable for a race.
At the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, a Formula E clash prompted the team against using an additional pair of hands.
Nevertheless, Pourchaire has taken on his newfound role as a solid entry point into top level sportscar racing.
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