The Mercedes F1 team welcomes Théo Pourchaire as a development driver for the upcoming season. The 2023 Formula 2 champion announced the news via his Instagram. “The news is finally out. I am incredibly proud and grateful to be joining the team,” the driver said.
Pourchaire joins a team where former Formula 2 driver Frederik Vesti currently serves as third driver. In addition to that driver, Mercedes has also announced changes to their junior programme. Two new drivers have been added there, Devin Titz and Niccolò Perico, both just 11 years old.
‘I’ll make the most of it’
As a development driver the Frenchman will be primarily active in the German squad’s simulator, working on the development of the W17. He will test new parts and updates to provide feedback. “When I was growing up I saw this team take victories in Formula 1 and now I have the honour to work with them and represent them. Thanks to everyone who was involved in giving me this chance. I’ll make the most of it. Let’s get to work in Brackley,” Pourchaire posted on his Instagram.
The 22-year-old has already gathered significant experience across different categories. He raced in the IndyCar Series in 2024 and earlier was part of the Alfa Romeo and Kick Sauber team, for which he appeared several times in free practice. After completing that programme in 2023 he left the team and in 2025 moved to Peugeot, where he made his debut in the World Endurance Championship. This year Pourchaire combines his role as development driver at Mercedes with a full season in the Hypercar championship for Team Peugeot Totalenergies.
‘Championships as the ultimate goal’
Alongside Pourchaire, Mercedes has appointed a further nine young drivers — aged eleven to seventeen — to its Junior Programme. Gwen Lagrue, senior adviser at Mercedes, sees a programme like this as a real accelerator for drivers and points to George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as examples. “For these young drivers, as well as for the team and myself, excellence is the standard. We continually refine and improve our methods of support and development. Always with performance, victories and championships as the ultimate goal,” Lagrue said.
Both Russell and Antonelli say the programme has helped them enormously in their development, both on and off track. “I would not be here today without the support of the absolute top: from Toto Wolff, from Gwen and from so many people inside the team who believed in me,” Russell said. Antonelli has especially enjoyed the programme. “Be grateful, but remember there is a reason you were chosen. Get everything out of it,” the Italian advised.
See the F1 calendar for 2026 here
