When 2021 Formulation 2 racer Zhou Guanyu was confirmed for the ultimate spot on the 2022 F1 grid simply over one 12 months in the past, reactions from RaceFans readers had been combined.
Some welcomed the motive force that sat in second place within the F2 standings could be promoted into Formulation 1. Others weren’t so thrilled. “Pretty extraordinary,” got here one evaluation. “I can not say I am too excited by this information,” expressed one other.
However anybody who anticipated China’s first ever F1 racer could be one-and-done on this planet championship was proved flawed when Sauber confirmed in late September that the 23-year-old would stay with the group throughout their closing season as Alfa Romeo in 2023 .
Along with his future in Formulation 1 secured for not less than one other 12 months, it is no marvel he is so relaxed as he sits down with RaceFans for an unique interview simply days away from the tip of his rookie season in Formulation 1.
Even reaching F1 is an achievement hundreds of thousands of younger folks dream about however solely a handful ever obtain. So how does it really really feel to get up each morning and assume to your self ‘I’m a Formulation 1 driver’?
“The truth is definitely roughly similar to what I anticipated,” Zhou casually replies.
“Firstly, whenever you knew that this 12 months you would be a Formulation 1 driver, that is one thing form of a dream come true – you may’t consider it. It takes a few weeks, even one or two months to digest that. However then as soon as every little thing turns into actual, the primary few grands prix, nonetheless that does not really feel actual.
“If you find yourself happy there with all the opposite 19 drivers to be a part of it – it is a actually wonderful and honored second,” he continues.
“After I was a child, I used to be watching, hoping that I’d be standing there someday. After which the second when issues begin working and also you attempt to push by way of all this new involvement, new group and this new complete chapter – it undoubtedly has some, for example, robust moments. Exhausting moments. However you actually must push by way of it.”
Advert | Develop into a RaceFans supporter and
Zhou’s 2022 has been essentially the most intense season of racing he is had since first stepping as much as single seaters in German and Italian F4 again in 2015. He readily admits how intense the lifetime of a Formulation 1 driver is, however insists it is of no shock to him .
“I undoubtedly anticipated that,” he says. “From Formulation 2, you spend half a 12 months doing not a lot at dwelling after which now you are touring on daily basis, 22 races, going to the manufacturing unit out and in. So your life is form of continuous, all the time going to the following vacation spot. It is also fairly enjoyable, since you’re doing what you like.”
As the primary Chinese language driver to win races within the FIA’s second-tier single-seater championship, Zhou had already earned the eye of passionate motorsport followers throughout his dwelling nation and the broader world. However since breaking by way of the edge to turn into the primary Chinese language driver to compete in Formulation 1, he says he is been amazed simply how common he is turn into.
“You possibly can actually see the quantity of individuals supporting you has elevated massively in comparison with the previous years,” he says, once more discussing his private experiences within the second-person.
“It seems like you might be successful as many races you need in F2, however the second, the primary day [you] turn into an F1 driver, it is a utterly one other world. In order that form of factor will get to you, nevertheless it’s good. It implies that all this tough work you place into it, you get these followers to greet you. In order that’s nice to have that. So general it has been an incredible journey thus far. I am actually having fun with my time.”
Zhou was 2022’s solely rookie driver – one Nyck de Vries cameo apart. However whereas current rookies have struggled to maintain their automobiles out of the wars at instances – Nicholas Latifi, Yuki Tsunoda, Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin – Zhou stood out for his means to remain comparatively out of hassle.
It is telling that his largest drama of the season – that horror crash firstly line at Silverstone – got here when he was an harmless get together. So how troublesome has it been for him to maintain his automotive on monitor throughout his first 12 months within the sport?
“It is really fairly difficult with the Formulation 1 automotive,” he admits. “That is one thing that undoubtedly shocked me.
“Clearly whenever you’re in a race weekend little modifications – the wind, monitor situations – it means a lot. Additionally the temperature – a couple of levels can actually have an effect on your lap. So it’s extremely delicate and never perhaps like different classes.
“I knew originally of the 12 months the important thing was to attempt to keep on monitor, doing as many laps as doable and construct up my confidence, my reference and my pace. I used to be perhaps just a little bit on the cautious facet, particularly in FP1, simply ensuring I get the laps in. After which from Saturday, it is actually when it’s a must to be in a special zone within the morning session to be prepared for qualifying. In order that’s form of the routine I have been following the entire season.
“It appears to be working, particularly within the first half of the season, when you do not actually know an excessive amount of in regards to the automotive. That form of works, as a result of with one crash, one spin, it may possibly form of simply again up your confidence – you will not be carrying as a lot pace on the similar nook you simply crashed out at. In order that was one thing I actually stored in not less than.”
Advert | Develop into a RaceFans supporter and
For a rookie, it is onerous to think about a greater group to start an F1 profession in than this one. Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez made their begins at Sauber – which runs the Alfa Romeo-branded squad – as did champions Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.
Zhou’s relationship with former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas was some of the healthful tales of the 2022 season. Their teamwork was maybe finest demonstrated within the Interlagos dash race, the place Bottas ran behind Zhou and informed his group recommendation to move onto his group mate for the right way to overtake Nicholas Latifi’s Williams, who they had been each tailing.
However the pair’s predecessors – Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi – had been additionally shut associates once they departed the group after three seasons alongside one another. Is there one thing in regards to the Sauber group that results in concord between drivers whereas different group mates flip into enemies, or is it extra that Zhou and Bottas simply occur to be group gamers?
Zhou considers for a second. “I believe it is just a little little bit of each,” he solutions.
“I believe the largest factor is the best way every driver behaves. Particularly with me coming in as a rookie with Valtteri being an skilled team-mate. He actually is kind of open for the group and keen to assist me. So on that facet, I am very grateful to have him alongside me.
Advert | Develop into a RaceFans supporter and
“Additionally for me, in fact it is troublesome to catch up immediately. However together with his information I actually can be taught lots and likewise he is given me a variety of recommendation which has been tremendous essential and helpful. When the drivers are getting alongside, in fact the group has created an incredible ambiance to be working with each drivers within the totally different levels of their profession. So I do not understand how others prior to now at Sauber have been, however I am actually having fun with my time right here. And with Valtteri and me collectively, it has been wonderful.”
Regardless of their sturdy rapport off the monitor, Zhou’s lack of factors relative to teammate Valtteri Bottas over the primary half of the 12 months was onerous to disregard. By the point they arrived in Canada, Bottas had amassed 40 factors. Zhou—simply the one.
However after Zhou added 4 extra factors with an eighth-place end in Montreal, each he and Bottas scored solely three extra instances between them for the remainder of the season. It led to a really tense finish to the season, with Alfa Romeo solely simply holding onto sixth place within the constructors’ championship from Aston Martin on countback. If Daniel Ricciardo had not stored Vettel behind him within the closing laps of Abu Dhabi, Alfa Romeo would have missed out on hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in prize cash.
Along with his group beginning the season so strongly after which fading away over the course of the 12 months, is Zhou fearful in regards to the group’s momentum heading into 2023?
“There isn’t any doubt for subsequent 12 months,” he insists. “We had been already engaged on subsequent 12 months’s automotive fairly early a couple of months in the past. I believe all the opposite groups do the identical.
“However then we form of did not actually deliver too many upgrades for the reason that summer time, simply pondering we needs to be okay. It was nice to have the one we had in Austin, it actually gave the impression to be working.
“Not less than all of the upgrades we have introduced this season labored in the correct approach, in the correct course. So there isn’t any negatives. It is simply we did not spend as a lot price range this summer time as different groups. So general the course is obvious, so hopefully now we have automotive for the beginning.”
Advert | Develop into a RaceFans supporter and
Whereas Zhou has enter on the 2023 automotive, he has much more affect over his personal efficiency as a driver. The aim of any second season driver in Formulation 1 is to point out marked enchancment over one 12 months. And Zhou is satisfied he’ll head to Bahrain subsequent March as a greater driver.
“I really feel like now, for instance, particularly one-lap tempo, I’ve made step up in comparison with the primary eight races,” Zhou says. “The primary eight races, it was fairly clear I used to be a bit off Valtteri for one-lap tempo – now we’re catching up and had some good instances and been very shut collectively. In order that’s actually good for motivating the group.
“Then, then again, I really feel like every little thing has improved as a result of expertise is a large matter right here. You simply actually really feel comfy on the market, understanding the automotive. All of the switches, the emergency instances it’s a must to react to. keep calm
“I’ve mentioned earlier than, it is a bit of a disgrace that originally of the 12 months I used to be missing just a little little bit of expertise however the automotive was tremendous aggressive. Now, we’re just a little bit not as sturdy as the start of the 12 months. However general for myself, I’ve undoubtedly been enhancing and there is nonetheless lots to come back. I will hopefully have a way more settled season subsequent 12 months.”
On the age of 23, Zhou is aware of the one factor that stands between him and a prolonged profession at motorsport’s highest degree is himself. However merely competing in Formulation 1 ought to by no means be sufficient – solely changing into the easiest could be the goal.
With that mentioned, does Zhou Guanyu consider that he has the potential to turn into a Formulation 1 world champion?
“Sure, for positive,” he states with out a second’s hesitation.
“That is what we’re right here for. We have all been successful different junior class titles and championships and, if not, being title contenders in F2. All of us beg for victories, for podiums and all these items, however for positive that’s undoubtedly my subsequent large dream.”
Develop into a RaceFans Supporter
RaceFans is operating thanks partially to the beneficiant help of its readers. By contributing £1 per 30 days or £12 per 12 months (or the identical in whichever foreign money you utilize) you may assist cowl the prices of making, internet hosting and growing RaceFans at present and sooner or later.
Develop into a RaceFans Supporter at present and browse the location ad-free. Join or discover out extra through the hyperlinks under:
2022 F1 season
Browse all 2022 F1 season articles