Zhou Guanyu Biography
Born: 26/01/1990 Shanghai, China
Zhou Guanyu’s Formula 1 debut in 2022 marked the series’ long-sought fulfilment to get a Chinese driver onto the F1 grid.
Earning his opportunity with the Alfa Romeo F1 Team, Zhou complemented the historic honour by scoring on his debut in Bahrain and going on to prove a worthy understudy to experienced team-mate Valtteri Bottas come the end of his rookie campaign.
Basing himself in Italy during the early stages of his racing career, Zhou quickly emerged as arguably the most convincing young hopeful to emerge from the world’s most populous nation.
Making headlines by securing the lucrative endorsement of a spot in the Ferrari Driver Academy while competing in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, Zhou defected to the Renault junior programme upon making his F2 debut in 2018.
Three seasons with UNI-Virtuosi Racing saw Zhou top the podium on five occasions, with his run to third overall in 2021 going on to open a door to F1 with Alfa Romeo.
2023 - Alfa Romeo
18th – 6 points
Zhou Guanyu remained with Alfa Romeo for 2023 alongside team-mate Valtteri Bottas. The Chinese driver’s best finish was P9 at the Australian, Spanish and Qatar grands prix.
Zhou set the fastest Q1 time and then qualified fifth for the Hungarian Grand Prix; the best qualifying performance in his career.
2022 - Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen
18th - 6 points
As the only rookie to make his F1 debut in 2022, Zhou had his work cut out to measure up against his more experienced counterparts, among them his ex-Mercedes race-winning team-mate Bottas.
However, a punchy drive to tenth place in the well-judged Alfa Romeo C41 at the Bahrain opener would see Zhou join the exclusive band of drivers to score on their F1 debut.
While Zhou would have a hard time getting the most from his package in qualifying, he’d often prove a more competitive race day prospect, even if it would only lead to two further trips into the top ten over the course of the year; a best finish of eighth in Canada, plus a tenth place at Monza.
Though his season will perhaps be best remembered for his spectacular flip and roll over the barriers at the start of the British Grand Prix, Zhou closed the margin to Bottas towards the end of the year to earn him an extended stay with Alfa Romeo for 2023.
The high-stakes design theory that Sauber hopes is key to 2024 F1 progress
The driving style secrets of F1's current stars
Zhou confident Sauber F1 team can return to 2022 level
Zhou doesn't "give a shit" about crazy F1 future rumours
Bottas: Slow turns and thin air at F1 Mexico GP key to Alfa Romeo promise
Bottas: Qatar pace shows latest Alfa F1 upgrades working
James Key arrival "refreshing" as Alfa Romeo F1 must make "big step" in 2024
Alfa Romeo announces Zhou alongside Bottas for 2024 F1 season
Zhou: "very close" to new deal with number one F1 choice Alfa Romeo
Trending
Latest news
Everything you need to know about the pitwall in F1 - who sits there and what does it do?
Alpine: "Shock" of having slowest F1 car triggered tech revamp
How Bruce McLaren's death shaped more than just his F1 team
Latest videos
Race Rewind: Cup Series returns to concrete racing at Bristol
Race Rewind: Cup Series returns to concrete racing at Bristol
NASCAR SVP John Probst on ‘record-setting day for us’ in Bristol thriller
NASCAR SVP John Probst on ‘record-setting day for us’ in Bristol thriller
Chris Gabehart: ‘If you weren’t entertained you probably need to do something else’
Chris Gabehart: ‘If you weren’t entertained you probably need to do something else’