Zhou Guanyu inks Alfa Romeo extension

Swiss Formula One team Alfa Romeo have announced that their driver Zhou Guanyu will stay with the team for the 2023 season after a contract extension.

Zhou, who made his debut during the 2022 season, has impressed all with his race craft, and his performances have helped the team shift from the bottom of the table to P6 in the Constructors’ table. 

Becoming the first-ever Chinese driver to participate in Formula One, Zhou has already broken various records. Along with his strong race pace and qualifying performances, the team have also stated that the partnership Zhou and Valtteri Bottas have formed is something the Swiss team were looking for.

Zhou, a member of the Renault Driver Academy, spent three years in Formula 2 between 2019 and 2021, finishing third in the 2021 season. The Chinese driver also won the F3 Asian Championship in 2021. His strong performances saw him get a Formula One seat with Alfa Romeo, replacing Antonio Giovinazzi.

Previously, Zhou has also served as a test driver for Renault in Formula One. 

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Frédéric Vasseur, Team Principal, Alfa Romeo, commented:

“I am looking forward to continuing working with Zhou. From day one with the team, at the Abu Dhabi test last year, he has impressed me with his approach to work and this is always a very positive trait. We knew he was quick, but the way he adapted to Formula One in such a short time has been one of the best surprises of our season. He is a very nice guy, everyone in the team likes both his personality and attitude. 

“He has had the humility to ask questions and learn, from the engineers as well as Valtteri, and the intelligence to apply all the information he got to improve race after race. He will have this experience to draw on next season, and I am sure he will make another step forward as we continue to grow our team.“

Zhou Guanyu added:

“I am happy and grateful to Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN for the opportunity to be part of the team for another season. Making it to Formula One was a dream come true and the feeling of competing for the first time in a race will live with me forever: the team has been incredibly supportive, welcoming me from day one and helping me adapt to the most complex series in motorsport. There is more that I want to achieve in this sport and with the team, and the hard work we have put together since the start of the year is just the first step towards where we want to be next season. There is still a lot to learn, a lot to develop but I am confident in our work: I am looking forward to the next chapter of our story together.“