FIA F2 Monaco
Pourchaire “disconnected brain” in Monaco F2 qualifying
Theo Pourchaire says he “disconnected his brain” in order to set a blistering lap in Monaco qualifying to become the youngest-ever Formula 2 polesitter.
Tom Howard
Edited: May 24, 2021, 8:24 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The 17-year-old was untouchable in qualifying at the challenging Monaco circuit, posting a 1m20.985s effort which was 0.4s faster than his nearest rival Robert Shwartzman.
It proved to be an emotional maiden F2 pole for the rookie Frenchman, making his Monaco debut, in only his fourth event in the championship.
The ART Grand Prix driver set a blistering pace to top his qualifying group but had to face an agonising wait for a record-breaking pole while the second of the split qualifying sessions played out.
However, reflecting on the achievement, the teenager admitted it was a special moment in his fledgling career.
“For sure I just disconnected my brain during three laps today,” said Pourchaire, a member of the Sauber junior team, after qualifying.
“I wasn't super confident during free practice this morning, so I wanted to start as much as possible on the front of the grid. So yeah, I pushed the limit of the car and it worked.
“I’m super happy, I just want to thank the team for sure, the car was amazing.
“They also did a great job, and I also want to thank my family, all the people, because it's my home race, they are there, I know they are watching me in real life this time. I also want to thank Sauber, I'm super happy to be on pole for the first time in F2.
“Monaco is very special. And yeah, it's my home race. I know it's not France, but I live just like 30 minutes away from here, so it means a lot to me.”
Read Also:
- F2, F3 to focus on cost saving instead of driver scholarships
- Monaco F2: Pourchaire takes dominant pole ahead of Shwartzman
Reacting to his record-breaking qualifying achievement, he added: “It means a bit, being the youngest polesitter is fine.
“It is not easy to be the youngest and I was almost the youngest in every category in my career.
“Now being on pole for what is my fourth F2 weekend but my second of the year at Monaco a new track for me, it means a lot, but now I need to fight with all the guys [in the races].”
While Pourchaire will start the all-important Saturday afternoon feature race from pole, he will have to start tomorrow’s opening sprint race from 10th courtesy of the new-for-2021 reverse grid weekend format.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article F2, F3 to focus on cost saving instead of driver scholarships
Next article Deledda allowed to start in Monaco F2 despite 107% rule
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Tom Howard
WRC star Thierry Neuville makes successful historic circuit racing debut
WRC
WRC 6 h
WRC star Thierry Neuville makes successful historic circuit racing debut
FIA ratifies key 2027 WRC sporting regulations
WRC
WRC 9 h
FIA ratifies key 2027 WRC sporting regulations
More from
Theo Pourchaire
Theo Pourchaire focused on new Opel Formula E programme amid doubts over WEC future
WEC
WEC
Theo Pourchaire focused on new Opel Formula E programme amid doubts over WEC future
Overlooked F2 champion who “deserved better” returns to F1 in Mercedes role
Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain Pre-Season 2
Overlooked F2 champion who “deserved better” returns to F1 in Mercedes role
Theo Pourchaire is starting second chapter in WEC but 'deserved better' after F2 title
WEC
WEC
Theo Pourchaire is starting second chapter in WEC but 'deserved better' after F2 title
More from
ART Grand Prix
When Paul Di Resta beat Sebastian Vettel to the F3 title
F3
F3
When Paul Di Resta beat Sebastian Vettel to the F3 title
Haas announces 15-year-old Kaylee Countryman as 2026 F1 Academy driver
F1 Academy
F1 Academy
Las Vegas
Haas announces 15-year-old Kaylee Countryman as 2026 F1 Academy driver
Williams parts ways with Lia Block as F1 Academy star is set to return to rally
F1 Academy
F1 Academy
Las Vegas
Williams parts ways with Lia Block as F1 Academy star is set to return to rally
Latest news
FIA expects F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to continue as planned
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
FIA expects F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to continue as planned
TDS Racing doubles down on IMSA program with two-car LMP2 return
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 2 h
TDS Racing doubles down on IMSA program with two-car LMP2 return
Why Isack Hadjar doesn’t like F1 sprints anymore
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
2 h
Why Isack Hadjar doesn’t like F1 sprints anymore
Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen to race for JR Motorsports again in 2027
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
3 h
Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen to race for JR Motorsports again in 2027
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe