Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire becomes 1st driver for Opel’s Formula E works team

The Opel GSE Formula E Team has signed its first driver ahead of its Formula E debut. Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire will race the Opel GSE 27FE from Season 13. The Frenchman has already played an extensive role in Stellantis’ Gen4 development programme and completed several private tests, while the identity of his team-mate remains unknown.

Pourchaire will make his Formula E debut in Season 13. The 22-year-old will become the first French rookie to enter the championship since Sacha Fenestraz in Season 8. He is also the third Formula 2 champion to go on to compete in Formula E, following 2019 title winner and subsequent Formula E world champion Nyck de Vries, as well as 2022 champion Felipe Drugovich.

His appointment comes as little surprise. As a member of the Stellantis young driver programme, Pourchaire has been involved in the development of the Gen4 car from the outset and has already driven it on several occasions. These included the official car launch in Le Castellet. In mid-July, he also tested the Gen4 car of sister brand Citroen in southern Spain, with e-Formula.news attending the private running on site.

Pourchaire calls Opel move his “biggest opportunity so far”

“It feels great to become part of the Opel GSE Formula E Team and the Opel family – a famous brand with a great motorsport history that is now taking on the World Championship,” says Theo Pourchaire. “It is the next step in my career and the biggest opportunity I have had in single-seater racing so far. The new Gen4 generation fits perfectly with my journey from Formula 2: more power, all-wheel drive and extremely strong acceleration – that is exactly the kind of car I love. I want to learn and develop, and I will give everything for Opel’s success from day one.”

“We are delighted to officially welcome Theo to the Opel GSE Formula E Team,” says team principal Jörg Schrott. “We have been watching him for a long time and have been impressed by his performance, maturity and fresh approach. He belongs to a generation of racing drivers whose technical understanding, speed, adaptability and way of working make them ideally suited to the new Gen4 era of electric motorsport. Theo has consistently shown in the junior categories that he can win races and championships. That is exactly the mindset we need in our cockpit.”

“It became clear straight away how well he fits into our team, both professionally and personally,” Schrott adds. “Theo provides very clear feedback, learns quickly and remains calm even in unfamiliar situations, while also having the ambition to keep improving. His fresh personality is also a very good match for the Opel team. We are convinced that Theo and his character will become a very important part of our Formula E project.”

Pourchaire still faces further development work before the pre-season test in Madrid, where he will take part in an official Formula E session for his new team for the first time. The Frenchman is supporting Stellantis and its Opel and Citroen brands with Gen4 development both in the simulator and during private track testing.

Opel has yet to announce its second driver. Mitch Evans has long been linked with the seat in the paddock, and Jaguar has already confirmed that the New Zealander will leave the team at the end of the season after ten years together.