Pourchaire slates “grossly inaccurate” report over his McLaren IndyCar exit · RaceFans

Reigning Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire has accused French publication Autohebdo of “grossly inaccurate” reportage after granting them an interview over his shock exit from McLaren’s IndyCar team.

The Sauber reserve driver insisted his split from McLaren was “amicable” and said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, team principal Gavin Ward and driver consultant Tony Kanaan had abided by the terms of their contract. He denied doubts raised in the report over future of McLaren’s three-car squad.

“I’ve read the article published on Autohebdo this week and I’m disappointed in how grossly inaccurate my words and comments portrayed my interview,” said Pourchaire in a social media post.

Autohebdo published its article on Tuesday and has since removed taken it down without explanation.

“While I was surprised by Arrow McLaren’s decision to take me out of the car ahead of Laguna Seca, we ended on amicable terms,” Pourchaire continued. “Sure, it’s disappointing not to be racing with the team, but they’ve held up and respected all the areas of the contract, and Zak, Gavin and Tony, along with the rest of the team, have been fully supportive of me and my wish to get back into an IndyCar or other racing.

“There’s no question on Arrow McLaren’s stability in its partnerships and their funding, so for Autohebdo to include that in my interview, it’s absolutely false. I’m appreciative of the time I had with the team, there are no hard feelings, and I hope this helps corrects the perception there’s been about the team and myself.”

Pourchaire left a drive in Japan’s Super Formula series to join McLaren’s IndyCar team at the second round of the championship in Long Beach as a substitute for the injured David Malukas. In May McLaren announced Malukas would not take up his intended place at the team and confirmed Pourchaire would replace him for the remaining rounds with the exception of the Indianapolis 500.

However three days before practice was due to begin for the Laguna Seca round, McLaren revealed Pourchaire had been replaced at the team by Nolan Siegel, whom they had signed on a long-term contract. The news came as a shock to Pourchaire, who earlier in the week had described his excitement at making his first appearance at the Californian road circuit in a post on social media.

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