There are plenty of young drivers fighting for a space on the Formula 1 grid next year but only a few will ever make it.
There has been a recent tendency for teams to stick with more experienced drivers, although that has to change sooner rather than later with the likes of Liam Lawson and Oliver Bearman impressing during their F1 cameos.
However, speaking on the Missed Apex Podcast, journalist Joe Saward has been assessing the chances of some of their young rivals making it onto the grid.
A lot of current drivers will be looking over their shoulders right now.
Thirteen drivers are out of contract at the end of the season and some will have to be more patient than others when it comes to finding out whether they’ve got a future in the paddock.
The likes of Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso would have to actively choose not to participate next year otherwise they’ll be on the grid.
Daniel Ricciardo is under pressure to survive until the end of the season, while Logan Sargeant’s position at Williams looks flimsy at best.
Opportunities will therefore be available in Formula 1 for young drivers in 2025, but Saward cannot see Theo Pourchaire being given an opportunity on the grid.
Last season’s Formula 2 champion and Sauber reserve driver is patiently waiting to see if he’s going to get his chance next year.
Theo Pourchaire told to ‘dream on’ over 2025 Formula 1 chance
The path from Formula 2 to Formula 1 has become more and more difficult for young drivers to traverse.
Logan Sargeant and Oscar Piastri made the jump last year although the Australian had to wait 12 months and switch from Alpine to McLaren to get his chance.
The Williams driver hasn’t been the best example of a graduate from the junior formula and he could be replaced by another driver from F2 for next season.
Zhou Guanyu is in his third season but has failed to kick on and that could offer Theo Pourchaire his Formula 1 chance in 2025.
The Frenchman won F2 last season at his third attempt, the same as Felipe Drugovich the year before him.
However, it has to be remembered that Pourchaire was only 17 when he made his Formula 2 debut and was still one of the youngest drivers in the series when he took the title.
Unfortunately, the nature of his victory and several other factors may play a part in the 20-year-old never making that final step up.
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Theo Pourchaire now following Liam Lawson’s route to F1
Asked whether there was a chance Theo Pourchaire could be on the grid among several young rookies next season, Saward simply said: “Dream on. Next one.”
There are several reasons why it’s difficult to see Pourchaire on the Formula 1 grid in 2025.
Firstly, the longer a driver typically has to wait for their opportunity, the less likely it is that it will ever arrive.
A year out of the sport – and importantly away from the paddock – racing in Super Formula means that unless he’s winning every race in Japan, he’ll quickly be forgotten about unless he gets an opportunity like Liam Lawson did in the same series last year.
Oliver Bearman has put himself at the front of the queue with his display in Saudi Arabia by being in the right place at the right time.
Pourchaire is also part of the Sauber Driver Academy and even though both of their drivers are out of contract for next season, it’s hard to see the team gambling on Pourchaire.
The team will become Audi in 2026 and they’ve identified two much more experienced drivers as their ideal candidates.
If they can only attract one of those current F1 stars, then it makes more sense to retain one of their current drivers than give Pourchaire a chance.
The Frenchman is in a tricky situation and may need to start considering an alternative career path.
The post ‘Dream on’: Journalist suggests there’s absolutely no way 20-year-old champion will be in F1 next year appeared first on F1 Oversteer.