Guanyu Zhou: "I left a legacy just by being the first Chinese driver in F1"

After being part of the young pilot academies Ferrari and Renault / Alpine, Guanyu-Zhou had its first turns of the wheel in Formula 1 in 2021, aboard the A521, for a Free Practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix. A year later, since the French team already had two drivers lined up for the 2022 season, the Chinese turned to Alfa Romeo-Sauber alongside Valtteri Bottas and signed an initial three-year contract. His arrival at the Italian-Swiss team made him the first Formula 1 driver from China. "I left a legacy just by being a Chinese driver in Formula 1, he recalled at the end of the 2024 season. If I don't come back, I don't think there will be another one in the next ten years."

Obviously aware of the symbol that he represents for Chinese youth who dreams of motorsport, number 24 seems proud: "I feel very honored to be the first, but also to become an inspiration for young people. It's a lot of pressure, although it's a great honor." However, this label is not the only one that Guanyu Zhou wishes to highlight: "I want people to think that even if China is not prioritized in this sport, I can still participate and be very good." It is difficult for the Chinese to show this given the performance of the different models he has had the opportunity to drive...

One last season "to forget" for Zhou

While Sauber has had a makeover in 2024, ditching Alfa Romeo's burgundy and white for the neon green of sponsor KICK – marking a step towards the transition to Audi planned for 2026 – and despite a car completely redesigned, the 2024 season turned out to be catastrophic for the Swiss team. The brand's gamble did not bear fruit while "Everything was going well at first." After pitstop problems followed a "long period during which we had the slowest car on the grid", notes Guanyu Zhou before confiding that this had  "causes suffering and loss of hope for the future."

Despite the efforts of the Chinese driver and his teammate Valtteri Bottas, the two former teammates will not be part of the team in 2025 as they are replaced by the champion of Formula 2 Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, who leaves Haas. For the 25-year-old driver, 2024 is « a season to forget. I wanted to show what I was capable of, I wanted to leave F1 in the best possible way – not only for me, but also for those who follow me." 

"I want to come back"

However, Guanyu Zhou is not finished with Formula 1: "I want to come back. That's what I always had in mind., he announces. Before the points, I had not been able to show my potential to the maximum. This year has been very intense mentally and has made me grow. Without a seat for 2025, the former teammate of Valterri Bottas remains confident. Even if he does not know where he will go, the Chinese "still working on the future." The pilot adopts a strategy according to which it is necessary "show yourself available", especially with " "With so many rookies on the grid, anything is possible. I'm ready to seize any opportunity."

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