He also participated in the Virtual Grand Prix Series for Renault, an FIA launched Esports series in place of the F1 Grands Prix postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. He won the Bahrain Virtual Grand Prix, the first Virtual GP of the replacement series. However, this series did not award any points to the Formula One World Championship. He, along with Oscar Piastri and Christian Lundgaard, tested the Renault R.S.18 at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2020. At the end of 2020, he participated in the Abu Dhabi post-season test for Renault, alongside Fernando Alonso. He made his F1 race weekend debut for Alpine F1 Team during the first practice session of the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix, becoming the second driver from mainland China to participate in an F1 Grand Prix, after Ma Qinghua.