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Basketball, Drake and Star Wars: Getting to Know the Real Théo Pourchaire
The younger race winner in both F2 and F3, French rookie sensation Théo Pourchaire has been making quite the name for himself since stepping onto the official Road to F1.
We caught up with the Sauber junior, who discussed his greatest inspirations, how he relaxes and his love of the Star Wars franchise.
WHERE DO YOU CONSIDER HOME?
“I grew in the Southeast of France, near Cannes in Grasse, which is the city of perfume. So, some people know Grasse because of that. I lived all my life there, and I have really great memories from growing up there. I'm really proud to be from France and the Southeast especially. I have the chance to live there, and it's a beautiful place.”
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
“I have a lot of things that inspire me, but for sure I am born into the Motorsport world. I started karting when I was three years old so for me the goal is to one day be Formula 1 World Champion. It's the same goal that I've had since I was three years old, 10 years old, and today. I will never give up until then. I know I can do it, it's my biggest dream in life and I live for that.”
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WHO INSPIRES YOU?
“A lot of people! There are some Formula 1 drivers, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, a lot of people in sport in general, Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, Roger Federer... I love sport in general. I love the legends, the biggest athletes in the world, they inspire me a lot because I want to be like them, I want to be the best in my sport.”
HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM THE TRACK?
“Playing video games, that's cool, playing other sports as well. I like to do basketball, football... boxing! I don't what I can do in life apart from sport, I really love it. I'm not sure if I'm good at any other sports, but I like playing basketball and football they are the most important. I did some boxing in clubs when I was younger!”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE VIDEO GAME?
“I have quite a lot, but I play Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, FIFA, NBA. It's cool sometimes to play with friends to relax a bit.”
WHO DO YOU GET ON BEST WITH ON THE F2 GRID?
“It's difficult to have friends, to be honest, but I think my teammate Christian (Lundgaard), we have a good relationship together because we've worked together for a year now. We have taken planes together before, stayed at the same hotels, been to McDonald's to eat together. We have a good relationship, which is nice.”
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIALITY DISH?
“I'm not too good a chef, but I like to cook because when I'm at home I have to prepare myself physically, so I eat special things. I don't think anyone would eat something I cooked apart from me. I would do a croissant, but I would buy it at the bakery... it's easier!”
IF YOU WEREN’T A DRIVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
“To be honest, I don't know, my whole life is about sport. I would maybe play another sport, making working in the sports industry, maybe sports management.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?
“I like the Star Wars saga, the Fast and Furious too, but yeah Star Wars I really like. Since I was a child, I've been watching those films. I remember when I was a child going to Disneyland Paris, going on the Star Wars attraction. I'm a big fan of Star Wars.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT BEING A RACING DRIVER?
“The best thing is we're doing a unique sport, that we can't explain. I drove an F1 car, and it's amazing. The feeling you have in the high-speed corners, braking late. This is something unique that not a lot of people can experience.
“Also, I would say we travel a lot around the world, and that's a great chance to visit places. I'm only 18 but already I've discovered a good part of the planet and that's amazing.”
WHERE WOULD YOU VISIT IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD?
“I liked the USA, I've been to Miami, but also Dubai, a lot of really great cities in Europe. Classic cities like Barcelona, which is amazing, Budapest is good, we have so many good places. That's a great chance that we have as racing drivers.”
WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
“My favourite artist is Drake, I like every song of his, I cannot choose one. I listen to a lot of American music, pop, rap, R&B… I like American music a lot.”
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WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RACING MEMORY?
“Monaco this year for sure. It was really, really nice, to drive around Monaco is special and for me even more, because it was like my home race. So, Monaco 2021 was special.”
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
“I don't know if it is a possession, but we have a dog called Piky. For me it's amazing to have a dog, I spend so much time with her. She's a golden retriever and she's special to me because I really love animals. She's with me every time I come back home.
“A dog is always happy, it brings you happiness. I would love to bring her to the track but it's not so good for her, there's too much sound. It's better to leave her at home and when I come back home she's really happy to see me.”