Theo Pourchaire will make his FP1 debut next weekend at the US Grand Prix, driving for Alfa Romeo.
Pourchaire, who is part of the Sauber Academy, will drive Valtteri Bottas’ car during the session.
The outing fulfils one of the mandated outings for rookie drivers this year, with all teams obliged to give two FP1 sessions to alternative drivers.
It will be the second time that Pourchaire will drive an F1 car, after he took part in a private test at the Hungaroring last year with Alfa Romeo.
“I am thrilled to be making my Free Practice debut in Austin; it will be my second time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, but in some ways, it will feel like it’s the first time,as this time it will be during an official Grand Prix session,” Pourchaire said.
“It feels like a dream coming true, and I want to thank Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN for putting their trust in me and granting me this amazing opportunity.
“I am looking forward to being on track, and I will make sure to get the most out of it and to do my best to support the team as they prepare for the United States Grand Prix.”
Pourchaire currently sits second in the FIA Formula 2 Championship standings with one round remaining, taking three races wins this year.
His racing plans for 2023 have not been confirmed, however Alfa Romeo has already locked in its driver line-up of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur added: “Theo has been delivering great performances over the course of this season, as well as during the previous years.
We have been working closely with him for almost four years now, as a member of our Academy, and we have been impressed by his constant progress and development as a driver first and, equally importantly, as a person.
“We are delighted to give him his first Free Practice outing next week: it’s a well-deserved opportunity, and I’m confident he will once again impress us with his performances, as he will help the team gather valuable data ahead of the United States Grand Prix.”
He’s a talented driver. I’d have given him a shot for next season, in place of Bottas the carpet, who isn’t going to get any better, whereas Pourchaire has potential.