Race winner Guanyu Zhou of China and UNI-Virtuosi Racing celebrates on the podium during the Round 4:Silverstone feature race of the Formula 2 Championship at Silverstone on July 18, 2021 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Alfa Romeo’s driver’s line-up will stay the same next season with both Zhou Guanyu and Bottas set to continue in 2023
Guanyu Zhou will stay with the Alfa Romeo team till the end of 2023 – his second season with the team. The Chinese driver has had a solid debut season, contributing six points of the 52 the team has collected to put them sixth in the constructors’ championship with six races remaining. Zhou is the first full-time F1 driver from China and shares a strong relationship with teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Zhou is understandably pretty happy with the contract renewal. “I am happy and grateful to Alfa Romeo F1 Team for the opportunity to be part of the team for another season. 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”, the Chinese driver stated. Zhou has scored six points so far this season and has shown a lot of promise.
Let us take a look at what fans feel about Zhou’s extended stay with Alfa Romeo.
“I remember all the hate he got when he was announced. Happy that we proved them wrong”, wrote a fan.
“I like Zhou. I wouldn’t go as far as to say ‘deserved’ about this announcement though. Isn’t he losing 46 – 5 or something to Bottas?”, wrote another fan.
“Best Rookie in a while I reckon!He’s the one who surprised me the most, very happy he’s given the opportunity to establish himself further in F1!”, read another tweet.
“He’s a good driver but far from impressive to be frank. I hope that he can make way for Theo Pourchaire next year”, tweeted another fan.
“Quality driver got so much potential, just needs a better car and will be a championship contender that’s for sure” – mixed reactions kept pouring in.
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