An arrow. McLaren has had a persistent lack of stability in its driver lineup during the year 2024, and this trend continues as IndyCar travels to Canada.
Alexander Rossi had an accident at Turn 8 towards the end of Practice 1, resulting in a fracture of his right thumb due to impact with the wall. Theo Pourchaire, who previously competed with the squad this season, will take over from the American driver for the remainder of the weekend.
The 20-year-old made a strong impression during his first race in the IndyCar series at Long Beach. He stepped in for the injured David Malukas and achieved a 10th place finish at Detroit. He was dropped by Arrow McLaren, who signed Nolan Siegel, and left without a permanent drive after sacrificing his Super Formula season.
The uneven roadways of Toronto will pose a demanding course for the Arrow McLaren driver, who will be participating in a race at that track for the first time.
“Following an on-track incident where Alexander Rossi received a broken right thumb,” Arrow McLaren said in a statement, “Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team announces Théo Pourchaire will race the No. 7 Ryde Arrow McLaren Chevrolet for the remainder of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race weekend.
“Théo will reach the track prior to the qualifying session on Saturday afternoon, skipping Practice 2 as he travels from Europe to Toronto.”
This means he will set his first laps of the weekend in qualifying before the 85-lap race on Sunday.
This event will be a challenging endeavor, but it is a chance that Pourchaire should not waste. His last-minute call-up to replace Rossi provides another chance to prove his worth at a key period of his career.
Last year, he emerged victorious in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and has ambitions of competing in either Formula 1 or IndyCar. In the absence of a permanent driving position in 2023, occasions like this are the sole opportunities he has to make a strong impression on team managers.
He has been versatile and quick to get up to speed at a new circuit, finishing 11th on his IndyCar debut at Long Beach.
