Alfa Romeo reward 'surprise guy' Zhou with new F1 deal

Zhou Guanyu, Austria, 2022 — Photo: © LAT Images

Alfa Romeo

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Alfa Romeo reward 'surprise guy' Zhou with new F1 deal

Chinese driver has impressed during rookie season

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 27 September 2022 11:15 Updated: 13:21

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Alfa Romeo has rewarded Zhou Guanyu with a new F1 contract for 2023 following a rookie year that has impressed all within the team.

Although only 17th in the drivers' standings with six points to his name, compared to the 46 of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, the sport's first Chinese driver has stood out in the eyes of team principal Fred Vasseur.

Zhou had been tentatively linked with Williams recently, but Vasseur said: “I am looking forward to continuing working with Zhou.

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"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 1 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 has 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 still has "a lot to learn" with Alfa Romeo

The team state Zhou 'has demonstrated levels of maturity and racecraft that belie his young age', while he has also impressed 'with his commitment and attitude, forming a strong partnership' with Bottas.

Alfa Romeo claims Zhou has also 'contributed to advancing the simulator programme and has left no stone unturned to extract the maximum potential' from this year's car.

Declaring himself to be 'happy and grateful" to be staying on for another season, Zhou added: "Making it to Formula 1 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, and I am looking forward to the next chapter of our story together.”