Zhou Guanyu

## Career Overview

### **Alfa Romeo (2022-Present)**

The former Renault Academy graduate cut ties with the French marque, and brought with him over £30M in sponsorship. Many were left puzzled why the team would drop Kevin Magnussen in favor of someone who finished mid table in F2 last season. The official reasoning given was the ever growing on track tension between both drivers would only harm their chances of defending their Constructor's title, and once again cost both drivers a shot at Championship glory.

Zhou ran in 7th for much of the opening race, before retiring four laps from the end.

Zhou was again on the pace at Round 2, the Japanese Grand Prix, but retired on lap 3 with another Ferrari engine failure.

Alfa Romeo brought a new cooling package for Round 3, Australia. This time Zhou made it 8 laps before suffering yet another Power Unit failure.

Alfa Romeo brought a further cooling package for the Bahrain Grand Prix. This finally appears to have done the trick, as Zhou Guanyu finally saw the checkered flag, finishing in 6th.

Round 5 - Zhou Guanyu became the first Chinese driver to top a session in FP3. Qualifying second, he fell to 8th in the race.

Zhou claimed his first podium at the Italian Grand Prix. The Chinese driver had multiple stint in the lead, contending with Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen. Zhou ultimately finished third, only half a second behind the race winning Alpine.

Alfa Romeo brought upgrades for the Dutch Grand Prix. Tirowee and Zhou locked out the front row. Tirowee started on Hards, where as Zhou, and most of the field, opted for Mediums. Lap 3, Zhou and Verstappen passed Tirowee into turn 1. Zhou built up a lead, as Tirowee kept Verstappen in sight. Tirowee repassed Verstappen on lap 13, as the Dutchman locked up into turn 1. One lap later, Zhou span at the same corner and dropped to the lower reaches of the top 10. Zhou went on a late charge, first passing Esteban Ocon for third, and then Charles Leclerc for second. The Chinese ran out of laps to catch Fernado Alonso.

During Qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix, Zhou Guanyu exited the pits right into the path of Sergio Perez on his last run in Q3. The session wasn't restarted. The Sergio Perez/Zhou Guanyu crash secured pole for Verstappen on his first time. Zhou recieved a 5 place penalty and started from 9th. The Chinese driver made up ositions during the race, climbing up to 5th, but couldn't quite catch Esteban Ocon. Backing up Tirowee who finished 2nd, Alfa Romeo remained in the Constructor's fight.

Despite not finding a victory, Zhou ends an exceptional debut season 6th in the standings, and had enough of a gap over the Alpine of Esteban Ocon to lift Alfa Romeo to 2nd in the Constructor's.

#### **2023**

Zhou Guanyu was the breakout star of 2022. The Chinese driver was very unlucky to suffer three engine failures in the first three races. From there he slowly built his confidence, and by the end of the season was on par with Josh Tirowee.

Schumacher held the lead into turn 1 of the Japanese Grand Prix. A dive from Zhou into turn 1 forced both Red Bulls off the track, but both continued down a few positions. Zhou couldn't maintain his early offensive, as was passed by Hamilton and Tirowee on laps 2 and 3. The Chinese driver continued to fall down through the top 10 as the first stint unfolded. Verstapen made a comitted move on the Alfa Romeo through 130R on lap 7. Verstappen took his third win from three races. Schumacher kept the Dutchman honest less than four second back to take his first podium since Austria 2021. Zhou quietly went about his business to complete the podium.

## Racing Record (Formula One Results Only)

 **2022** | Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN | Alfa Romeo AR/22
 **2023** | Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake | Alfa Romeo AR/23