Arrow McLaren has endured a lack of stability with its driver lineup in 2024, and IndyCar’s adventure across the Canadian border is no different.
Alexander Rossi crashed at Turn 8 in the closing stages of practice 1, breaking his right thumb after hitting the wall. Theo Pourchaire, who raced with the team earlier in the season, will update the American for the rest of the weekend.
The 20-year-old inspired his IndyCar debut at Long Beach, replacing the injured David Malukas and finishing 10th at Detroit. He lost out to Arrow McLaren, who signed Nolan Siegel, and left without a permanent driver after sacrificing his Super Formula season.
Toronto’s bumpy streets will serve as a circuit for the Arrow McLaren driver, who will be racing on this track for the first time.
“Following an on-track incident in which Alexander Rossi broke his thumb,” Arrow McLaren said in a statement, “Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team announces that Théo Pourchaire will drive the No. 7 vehicle for the rest of Ontario’s Honda dealerships. of the Toronto Indy race week.
“Theo will arrive at the track ahead of qualifying consultation on Saturday afternoon, missing practice 2 as he heads to Toronto from Europe.
He will complete his first laps of the weekend in qualifying ahead of Sunday’s 85-lap race.
This occasion will be an uphill battle, but it is not an opportunity that Pourchaire misses. His last-minute call-up to update Rossi offers another chance to prove his worth at a critical moment in his career.
He won the FIA Formula 2 Championship last year and aspires to race in Formula 1 or IndyCar. Without a full-time driving force in 2023, opportunities like this are the only times he has to impress team bosses.
He has proven to adapt and get up to speed on a new track, finishing 11th in his IndyCar debut at Long Beach.
Other must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, tailored to your favorite sports and teams. Sent by email. Always free!