Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes signing 'unfair' as F2 champion vents frustration
Kimi Antonelli is preparing for his debut season in F1 after Mercedes announced him as Lewis Hamilton's replacement.
Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire has voiced his frustration by labelling it as "unfair" that drivers who haven't secured the title are being promoted to Formula 1 ahead of those who have.
The 2025 F1 season already has three rookies confirmed, none of whom have won an F2 title. Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman, neither in contention for this year's championship, have secured seats with Mercedes and Haas respectively.
Jack Doohan, whose best F2 finish was third place in 2023, has been rewarded with a promotion by Alpine. More new faces could be on the horizon, with Liam Lawson potentially joining one of the Red Bull teams and Audi yet to decide on a partner for Nico Hulkenberg next season.
Pourchaire, last year's F2 champion and currently affiliated with Sauber, is a potential option for Audi. Gabriel Bortoleto, currently second in the standings, has also held negotiations. However, there is no certainty that either will secure a spot in F1 next year.
And speaking about his current state of play, Pourchaire told Motorsport.com: "I did my best on track. Sure, some people say I won the championship in my third year of F2 and it doesn't sound great, but I won it when I was 20. I'm the youngest race winner in F2 and F3, so I have nothing to prove. I just need an opportunity, that's all."
The last three F2 champions did not immediately secure a seat in F1, an issue that the French racer has deemed unjust. "From the outside, for sure, if you're in my shoes, it seems unfair. Like I think it's unfair for Drugovich, for example, who won the title... That's how it is, that's the world of F1. I'm just happy to be in the paddock again. And like I said, I really hope to get my chance one day. I'm ready to give everything."
While Audi have the opportunity to promote Pourchaire within the Sauber framework, they also face tough decisions regarding their current F1 line-up, including Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. But new COO Mattia Binotto has highlighted both Pourchaire and Bortoleto, managed by Fernando Alonso, as prospects.
Binotto confirmed: "Theo is our reserve driver, he's already part of the family and have no doubt that he is in our list. Gabriel is doing very well in F2. I think he's shown to be a great talent and, certainly, we are looking to what he is doing, as we are looking to many others.
"I don't see those as the only names which have our attention. There are many names on the list with great potential, great expertise, great experience. It's a matter of needing to judge what is most important for us in the short, medium and long term and go for a clear, clear plan, which today I do not really have an answer."
