Pourchaire keeps door open to Formula E and WEC double programme

Formula E becomes Pourchaire’s priority

Theo Pourchaire has admitted that combining his newly announced Formula E drive with a second campaign in the World Endurance Championship would be difficult, although the 2023 Formula 2 champion has not ruled out the possibility.

Speaking ahead of the London E-Prix, Pourchaire said he remained open to continuing in the WEC, where his best result so far has been 10th with the Peugeot 9X8. However, he made clear that Formula E would take precedence as he begins his career in the all-electric championship. The London E-Prix timetable and title-deciding weekend provides the immediate backdrop to that next step.

“Of course, I would be open to doing a double programme, but it’s a lot of... I mean, it’s a big, big calendar and I want to be focused on Formula E.”

A demanding schedule ahead

Pourchaire acknowledged that adapting to Formula E as a rookie will not be straightforward, but said he wanted to build towards winning in the championship. “Formula E is going to be my main programme and it’s going to be what I want to do the best in it,” he said. “So being focused there, it’s important. Let’s see. Yeah, I’m open to anything.”

The scheduling challenge is complicated by Peugeot’s wider driver situation. Nick Cassidy and Jean-Eric Vergne, both part of the manufacturer’s Hypercar roster, are also racing in Formula E for Citroen. Vergne has stepped away from his WEC duties this year to focus on developing Stellantis’ Gen4 package, while he has said he intends to return to the Hypercar programme in 2027.

Formula E’s decision to move the Monaco race forward by two weeks has removed one clash with the WEC. However, next year’s Shanghai E-Prix remains scheduled for the same weekend as the Sao Paulo 6 Hours. Peugeot could theoretically use two-driver line-ups in Brazil, but Pourchaire’s absence would still leave the manufacturer short of one driver.

Pourchaire will finish the WEC season first

Pourchaire said he knew little about Peugeot’s future driver plans and confirmed only that he would race for the team until the end of the current campaign. Four races remain for him at least, with the WEC season running from early September to early November.

“This year, I’m racing in the World Endurance Championship for Peugeot and we still have a few races to go,” he said. “And for next year, I’m focused on my programme with Opel.”