Guanyu Zhou: Kína első teljes munkaidős F1-es pilótája

Introduction

Guanyu Zhou is the first full-time Chinese driver in Formula 1 (F1), currently competing for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber (formerly Alfa Romeo) in the FIA Formula One World Championship. His journey from karting to F1 highlights a structured path through international junior single-seater categories, backed by strong performances in Formula 2 (F2) and connections with Formula 1 driver academies.

This article provides an in-depth look at Zhou’s racing career, technical strengths, challenges, and impact on motorsport in China.

Early Career and Karting (2010–2014)

Zhou began karting at the age of 8 in China before moving to Europe in 2012 to compete at a higher level. He joined Strawberry Racing, one of the top karting teams in Europe, and competed in multiple international karting championships.

His notable results in karting include:

• 2013 Super 1 National Rotax Max Junior (UK) – Champion
• 2013 Rotax Max Euro Trophy – Vice-Champion
• 2014 CIK-FIA European Karting Championship – Top 10 Finishes

Zhou’s success in karting helped him transition to single-seater racing in 2015, starting with the Italian F4 Championship.

Junior Formula Career (2015–2021)

Italian Formula 4 (2015)

In 2015, Zhou raced for Prema Powerteam in the Italian F4 Championship, one of the most competitive entry-level single-seater series. He secured:

• 4 Wins, 3 Pole Positions, and 9 Podiums
• P2 in the Championship Standings

This strong rookie season positioned him as one of the top young drivers and helped him join the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) in 2014, receiving backing from Ferrari.

Formula 3 European Championship (2016–2018)

Zhou progressed to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship in 2016, continuing with Prema Powerteam before moving to Motopark in 2017 and UNI-Virtuosi in 2018.

His best season came in 2018, where he finished P8 overall, scoring:

• 2 Pole Positions
• 2 Podiums

Despite not winning races in F3, Zhou's consistency and pace earned him a place in Formula 2 and a move to the Renault Sport Academy in 2019.

Formula 2 (2019–2021)

Zhou entered the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2019 with UNI-Virtuosi Racing, staying with the team for three seasons.

2019 (Rookie Season)

• 7 Podiums
• P7 in the Championship
• FIA Formula 2 Anthoine Hubert Award (Best Rookie)

2020

• 1st F2 Win – Sochi Sprint Race
• P6 in the Championship

2021

• 4 Wins, 9 Podiums, 1 Pole Position
• P3 in the Championship

His performance in 2021, combined with his role as a Renault F1 test and reserve driver, led to a full-time F1 contract with Alfa Romeo for 2022.

Formula 1 Career (2022–Present)

Alfa Romeo F1 Team (2022–2023)

In 2022, Zhou became the first full-time Chinese driver in Formula 1, driving for Alfa Romeo Racing alongside Valtteri Bottas.

2022 Season Highlights

• F1 Debut – Bahrain GP – Finished P10, scoring points in his first race
• Best Finish – Canada GP (P8)
• Finished P18 in the Championship with 6 Points
• Major Crash – 2022 British GP – Survived a high-speed accident at Silverstone due to the Halo device

His rookie season was solid, showing consistent pace, clean racecraft, and adaptability.

2023 Season Highlights

• Best Qualifying – Hungary GP (P5, Q3 Appearance)
• Best Finish – Spain GP (P9)
• Finished P18 in the Championship with 6 Points

Zhou demonstrated improved qualifying performance and strong defensive skills but struggled with car performance and race pace due to Alfa Romeo's midfield limitations.

Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber (2024–Present)

In 2024, Alfa Romeo rebranded to Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, with Zhou continuing alongside Bottas. This season is crucial for his long-term F1 future, as Audi prepares to take over Sauber in 2026. Zhou needs consistent results and stronger race performances to secure his seat beyond 2024.

Strengths and Driving Style

Zhou is known for:

• Consistency – Delivers solid performances without major mistakes.
• Racecraft – Capable of clean overtakes and defensive driving.
• Tire Management – Handles long stints efficiently.
• Adapting to Team Strategies – Executes team race plans effectively.

His driving style is balanced, focusing on smooth cornering and stability rather than aggressive oversteering.

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

Zhou faces several challenges in F1:

1. Qualifying Pace – Needs to improve single-lap performance to start higher on the grid.
2. Aggression in Race Battles – Occasionally cautious in wheel-to-wheel racing.
3. Car Development – Sauber’s midfield performance limits his ability to fight for higher positions.

For long-term F1 success, Zhou must outperform teammates, score regular points, and improve his ability to extract maximum performance from the car.

Impact on Motorsport in China

Zhou’s presence in F1 has significantly influenced motorsport growth in China:

• Increased F1 Viewership in China
• Inspiration for Young Chinese Racers
• Renewed Interest in the Chinese Grand Prix (Returning in 2024 after a four-year absence)

His career is expected to contribute to China’s motorsport infrastructure and driver development programs.

Future Prospects

Zhou’s future in F1 depends on:

• 2024 Performance Against Teammate Valtteri Bottas
• Sauber-Audi’s 2026 Driver Plans
• Sponsorship and Market Influence in F1

If he delivers strong performances in 2024, he could remain part of Audi’s F1 project or move to another team in the midfield. If results are inconsistent, his seat may be at risk.

Conclusion

Guanyu Zhou has established himself as a consistent, reliable F1 driver, becoming an important figure in global motorsport. His technical skills, adaptability, and discipline have allowed him to progress through the ranks, but further performance improvements in qualifying and racecraft are necessary for long-term success in Formula 1.

His presence in F1 is not only significant for his career but also for the growth of motorsport in China, potentially paving the way for future Chinese drivers in Formula 1.