Pourchaire looking to Pagenaud for advice; mentoring

A social media follow has evolved into a more structured mentoring relationship between 2016 IndyCar champion and 2019 Indy 500 winner Simon Pagenaud, and emerging talent Theo Pourchaire.

"This collaboration was born from a first contact on social networks," said Pourchaire, whose resume includes the 2023 FIA Formula 2 title, a six-race IndyCar stint with Arrow McLaren in 2024, and this year, an LMP2 ride in the ELMS.

"I contacted Simon when he supported me on social media for my first IndyCar race at Long Beach in 2024. It made me extremely happy when I received the notification on my phone because I was already following IndyCar a lot, and especially Simon! I do not doubt that Simon will be a great help to me and my future in motorsport. My goal is to win the biggest races in the world. Having already won the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 2, my dream would be to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indy 500.

"I decided to work with Simon because he is an example for a young French driver like me. Simon is a very versatile driver. He also worked for Peugeot in endurance racing, where I'm currently a test driver. I would like to have a career like his, and I know he can help me become a better driver."

In Pagenaud, Pouchaire will be receiving guidance from a driver with 15 IndyCar wins to his credit, as well as extensive experience in sports car racing including an ALMS title, a Rolex 24 at Daytona win, and second overall at Le Mans with Peugeot in 2011. While currently recovering from concussion-like symptoms sustained in a heavy IndyCar crash at Mid-Ohio in 2023, he has remained connected to the sport as a by doing development work in GM's simulator. He is also lending his IMS experience to Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin in an advisory capacity during this year's Indy 500 - a duty he also performed last year.

"Motorsport is a demanding world, where talent alone is not always enough," Pagenaud said. "Throughout my career, some encounters have been decisive for me, such as the one with Sebastien Bourdais, who paved the way for me in the United States, and then Gil de Ferran, who became a real mentor. Theo came to me with a vision of his career that appealed to me, and I really appreciate his open-mindedness. He left a strong impression during his time at McLaren in IndyCar, and he belongs to the motorsport elite. Today, I am in a new phase of my life, and I want to pass on my experience and help young talents find their way in this field. I am convinced that Theo can go very far, and I am happy to accompany him on this path."

Pourchaire, who did not compete on an oval during his brief IndyCar stint, will travel to IMS on Carb Day to spent this year's Indy 500 at Pagenaud's side.

"I really enjoyed the IndyCar championship during my short experience in 2024," he said. "I can't wait to discover the Indy 500 from a different angle. This year, I will be with Simon, who will be able to explain many things about this mythical race and introduce me to key people."

In parallel with his U.S.-focused collaboration with Pagenaud, Pourchaire's long-time manager Julien Abelli will continue to work with him on opportunities in Europe.