Guanya Zhou to make Chinese F1 history in Austria

Alpine

Zhou to make Chinese F1 history in Austria

Zhou will replace Fernando Alonso in FP1

Ian Parkes

Monday 28 June 2021 11:48 Updated: 12:00

Guanyu Zhou will make Chinese F1 history when he takes part in first practice with Alpine ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.

The Alpine Academy member will become only the second driver from China to participate in an F1 weekend.

Ma Qinghua is previously the only Chinese driver to be involved in an F1 practice session, featuring in five FP1s with HRT and Caterham in 2012 and 2013.

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Zhou, who will take over the A521 from Fernando Alonso, said: “Driving in FP1 at a Formula 1 grand prix weekend is like a dream coming true and another step closer to my ultimate goal of becoming a Formula 1 driver.

"It’s going to be a very special moment. I’m preparing myself as much as I can to be ready and also ensure that I’m able to complete all the targets and plans that the team have set me to do.

"There have not been many Chinese drivers in Formula 1, so to be behind the wheel of an F1 car during a race weekend is going to be a very proud feeling.

"It’s going to be even more special that I’m driving Fernando’s car as he inspired me to pursue a career in racing when I was young. My aim is to maximise this opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Zhou joined the Academy at the start of 2019 after three consecutive years in the F3 European Championship, going on to record five podiums in his debut F2 campaign that year.

In winning the Sochi sprint race in F2 last year he became the first mainland Chinese driver to win an international single-seater race, going on to finish sixth in the championship.

The 22-year-old currently leads this year's F2 standings after three rounds with two victories in Bahrain and Monaco and with a further two podiums to his name.

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said: “The challenge for young drivers to get into F1 is incredibly hard, and we are proud to support upcoming talent on this road.

"In his role as test driver Guanyu has participated in test and simulator sessions, so running a free practice in a current car is a logical and important step for one of the Academy’s brightest stars.

"This experience will greatly help him as he makes very solid progress towards the ultimate target that constitutes a full-time F1 seat.”