Guanyu Zhou will become China’s first Formula One driver next season when he joins Alfa Romeo as Valtteri Bottas’ teammate.
On Tuesday, Alfa Romeo confirmed Zhou would be joining the team for the 2022 season, meaning Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi will not be in the F1 grid next year.
Bottas was announced as the team’s other signing for 2022 earlier this year, with current driver Kimi Raikkonen set to retire from F1 at the end of 2021.
Zhou, 22, has been involved in Formula 2 racing since 2019 and has also been a member of the Alpine driving academy in recent years.
He is currently second in the F2 standings behind Oscar Piastri, who was named Alpine reserve driver for next year on Tuesday and has been considered a candidate for Alfa Romeo driving.
Zhou is likely to get significant backing from China, with some reports suggesting as much as $30 million, but Alfa Romeo team principal Fred Vasseur will not be looking into the details or duration of the contract. copper.
“We’re 200% focused on team performance and we don’t have to hide the fact that budget is part of performance and we’re also targeting to hit the cost cap because that’s an important step.” important to us”. he told Reuters.
“This decision is very important for the future of the company,” added Vasseur, whose team is ninth out of 10 in the constructors ranking.
“It’s not just based on the fact that he’s Chinese but it’s going to be a big boost for the company, for the sponsors and I think also for F1 in general,” he told Reuters.
“He’s the leader in F2, he’s won Bahrain and Silverstone this season and is still in a position to win the title and it was a very good combination at the last minute. I’m more optimistic. “
Zhou, who won the F3 Asian Championship this year but has not won a title outside that series since graduating from Go, said his childhood dream has come true.
“Since childhood I have dreamed of climbing as high as possible in the sport I am passionate about and now the dream has come true,” Zhou said. “It’s been a privilege for me to begin my Formula One racing career with an iconic team, one that has introduced so much young talent to Formula One in the past. Dream Hour. has come true.
“I feel well prepared for the great challenge of Formula 1, the pinnacle of my sport, together with a world-class talent proven in Valtteri Bottas. I would like to thank the Alfa team Romeo Racing ORLEN for this opportunity Next year the goal is to learn as much as possible and as quickly as possible.
“Being the first Chinese driver in Formula 1 is a breakthrough for the history of Chinese motorsport. I know a lot of hope will be in my direction and I will use this as motivation. to become better and achieve more.”
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also welcomed Zhou to Alfa Romeo.
“The news that Guanyu Zhou will join F1 next season is great for the sport and millions of die-hard Chinese fans now have a home hero to cheer for all year long. The pyramid in F2 is working and promoting talent to the pinnacle of motorsport.” Zhou is an incredible talent who will be a great addition to the amazing grid we have, and he will entertain and get all of our Chinese fans excited in 2022. .”
