‘Impressive’ 20-year-old now stuck in awkward position after latest news from Alfa Romeo today

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Alfa Romeo have extended Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu’s contract, leaving Theo Pourchaire in an awkward position.

A press release from the Swiss team today confirmed that Zhou would be partnering Valtteri Bottas next season.

It’s not been the easiest season so far for Alessandro Bravi’s team.

Bottas and Zhou both scored points in the first three races, but good results have been few and far between since then.

A ninth place for Zhou in Spain and two tenth-place finishes for Bottas in Canada and Monza have left Alfa Romeo second-bottom of the Constructors Championship.

They’re now just one point behind Haas and have opened up a very small gap over AlphaTauri.

Williams look out of reach in the championship which will be disappointing to the team.

Young driver Theo Pourchaire may have hoped to earn a place in Formula 1 next season.

He’s doing brilliantly in Formula 2 this year and has also been retained by Alfa Romeo.

However, Pourchaire’s hopes of a promotion next year have been dashed by Zhou’s new contract.

The Frenchman now has some serious thinking to do about his short-term future.

Pourchaire in awkward position after Zhou contract

Theo Pourchaire could end up being a victim of his own success.

With just two races left in the Formula 2 season, Pourchaire has a 25-point lead over Mercedes youngster Frederic Vesti.

If the 20-year-old goes on to win the title, it would be a huge achievement.

It’s his fourth season at this level and looks ready to make the step up.

However, once he’s won the F2 title, he’s no longer allowed to race in the championship.

This leaves Pourchaire in an awkward position as he now cannot earn a promotion to F1 because of Zhou’s new contract.

He could join Williams who haven’t confirmed Logan Sargeant’s race seat for next season.

However, he’s too highly rated at Alfa Romeo for them to let him go elsewhere right now.

Ahead of driving in testing for Alfa Romeo last year, sporting director Bert Zehnder said: “Ever since he joined the Sauber Academy back in 2019, Theo [Pourchaire] has shown impressive progress.”

Formula 1 needs more teams to give the best young talent a chance to progress.

There’s currently not enough driver turnover to give the likes of Pourchaire and last year’s F2 champion Felipe Drugovich a chance.

Unless teams are more ruthless with their drivers, the best up-and-coming drivers will never be given an opportunity.