F1 star in fan FACE-OFF at home grand prix

Formula 1 fans can compete against Kick Sauber star Zhou Guanyu in a one-off event ahead of next weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

F1 returns to China for the first time since 2019, marking the 20th anniversary of the sport's debut at the Shanghai International Circuit.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver announcement imminent as team 'offers contract' to F1 star

Until now, no Chinese driver has ever raced in front of a home crowd, so Zhou will be making some history of his own.

And to celebrate the occasion, F1 Fantasy has launched the "Shanghai Showdown" - a mini-league that will give players the chance to compete directly against the hometown hero.

The top three players will win signed Zhou merchandise, while a few players, selected at random, will win special cards signed by the Sauber man.

F1 Fantasy has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with the 1.2 million players creating a team this year up five per cent on 2023. The female user base has grown six per cent while 75 per cent are under 35.

New players will be automatically entered into the "Shanghai Showdown", while existing players can enter here. Fantasy is available in the F1 app and designated Fantasy website.

Zhou is 18th in this season's drivers' standings with six points, four behind his Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas.

READ MORE: Here's where Hamilton will make his sensational Ferrari debut next year

Related

More F1 news

Full News Feed

Lewis Hamilton questions Ferrari’s Formula 1 race weekend strategy

• 1 hour ago

F1 champion delivers savage verdict on struggling George Russell

• 3 hours ago

Max Verstappen rues costly Red Bull decision after Miami Grand Prix

• Yesterday 23:00

Lewis Hamilton flips off F1 rival while driving at Miami GP

• Yesterday 21:00

F1 legend responds to Jimmy Fallon biting his microphone live on air

• Yesterday 19:00

Is McLaren F1 star Lando Norris back in a relationship? New pictures reveal all

• Yesterday 17:00