Zhou Guanyu to stay with Alfa Romeo for 2023

Zhou Guanyu has signed a new deal to remain at Alfa Romeo for the 2023 Formula 1 season.

The 23-year-old is enjoying a solid yet unremarkable rookie year with the Italian-Swiss team, notably finishing in the points on his debut in Bahrain.

He was also involved in a terrifying crash at the start of the British Grand Prix, where his C42 flipped upside-down and hurtled into the barriers.

Heading into this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, Zhou is 17th in the standings with six points, with Alfa Romeo sixth in the constructors’ table.

Zhou, China’s first full-time F1 driver, will be partnered once again by Valtteri Bottas next season, with the former Mercedes star’s contract with Alfa Romeo running until 2024.

Though he is far behind his teammate in the standings, his performances have still been impressive, and one must also take into account the experience of Bottas, a ten-time grand prix winner, as well as a number of mechanical related issues that have hampered Zhou’s progress.

‘To be a Formula 1 driver, I realised it would be tough, but I didn’t realise how tough it would be,’ Zhou said upon signing his new deal.

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‘This season hasn’t been easy for me. There was a lot of pressure for me to handle straight from the off. [But it] has made me a stronger person.

‘I think I’ve been able to show my ability and that I am making quite clear progress race by race. I’m very happy in that sense.

‘Alfa Romeo are great with rookie drivers, so I’m happy to be taking that journey with them. The team has been incredibly supportive, welcoming me from day one and helping me adapt to the most complex series in motorsport.

Guenther Steiner