Great performance by Théo Pourchaire who achieves his best position on the grid, starting 7th in the streets of Detroit.
Théo Pourchaire avoids drama right from the start, as driver Will Power closes the door at the first corner, causing Power to spin and taking several drivers with him. Théo Pourchaire loses a position to Scott Dixon’s overtaking maneuver and settles in eighth place in the pack. After the favorite for this season, Álex Palou, loses a lot of power due to worn tires, Théo Pourchaire succeeds in overtaking the driver and regains his initial position.
Théo Pourchaire has caught up to Scott Dixon’s exhaust. Unfortunately, Théo Pourchaire also starts to suffer from his worn tires and is overtaken by Marcus Ericsson. He then makes his first pit-stop and comes out in 21st place. Upon exiting the pits, he defends against Harvey. Benefiting from Mclaughlin’s rear-end loss, Théo Pourchaire takes the opportunity to climb to 20th position. Many then take advantage to make a pit-stop, and with new tires, Théo Pourchaire returns to the top 10.
By the 36th lap, rain makes its appearance, and at McLaren, the drivers anticipate by putting on rain tires. Théo Pourchaire’s second pit-stop goes less smoothly than the first; the driver is hindered upon exiting the pits by the entry of other drivers.
A turbulent second half of the race
At the restart, Théo Pourchaire loses two places and finds himself in 12th position. He makes his third pit-stop to remove the rain tires and comes out in 18th place. Following the crash of driver Herta, Théo Pourchaire takes advantage to return to the top 15. At the yellow flag restart, Marcus Armstrong causes a new accident with Romain Grosjean, benefiting Pourchaire by climbing four places and positioning himself ninth.
At the restart, Théo Pourchaire overtakes Agustín Canapino and reaches eighth place. However, he risks a penalty due to his risky overtaking, which caused contact between the two drivers. To avoid this penalty, he gives Agustín Canapino his position back. Following his contact with driver Agustín Canapino, Théo Pourchaire loses a lot of power due to a hole in his front wing.
In this final part of the race, Théo Pourchaire manages to keep his pace with a damaged car. He returns to position himself in 14th place. He still manages to fight with Santino Ferrucci and Pietro Fittipaldi for 12th position. It’s the Brazilian driver who relents first and lets the driver from Grasse pass.
10 laps from the finish, Théo Pourchaire is in 11th place and still battling with Santino Ferrucci. Théo Pourchaire manages to withstand Christian Lundgaard’s aggression and finishes his race in 10th position and as the top Rookie.
