Zhou Guanyu signed a new deal to keep up Alfa Romeo for the 2023 Formula 1 season.
The 23-year-old is enjoying a solid but unremarkable rookie year with the Italian-Swiss team, notably taking the points on his debut in Bahrain.
He was also involved in a terrifying crash at the start of the British Grand Prix, in which his C42 flipped upside down and crashed into the guardrails.
Heading into this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, Zhou is 17th in the standings with six points, with Alfa Romeo sixth in the constructors’ table.
Zhou, China’s first full-time F1 driver, will once again be a partner of: Valtteri Bottas next season, with the former Mercedes star’s contract with Alfa Romeo until 2024.
Although he is well behind his teammate in the standings, his performance is still impressive, and one must also take into account the experience of Bottas, a ten-time Grand Prix winner, as well as a number of mechanical issues that hindered Zhou’s progress.
“To be a Formula 1 driver I realized it would be tough, but I didn’t realize how tough it would be,” Zhou said when signing his new deal.
“This season has not been easy for me. There was a lot of pressure for me to handle right from the start. [But it] made me a stronger person.
“I think I showed my skills and I am making clear progress race by race. In that sense I am very happy.
“Alfa Romeo is great with new drivers, so I’m happy to be able to take that journey with them. The team has been incredibly supportive, welcoming me from day one and helping me adapt to the most complex series in motorsport.
‘There is still a lot to learn, a lot to develop, but I am confident in our work. I look forward to the next chapter of our story together.
“For next year I just hope for an even better starting point so that we have a better benchmark and therefore a better first few races. Then hopefully more points and less DNFs.’
There are now only three seats left for 2023, with Alpine, Haas and Williams yet to confirm their lineups.
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