Zhou Guanyu is the only Chinese driver on the Formula One grid and the first in a long period for the sport. Zhou was the only rookie on the 2022 F1 grid, joining Alfa Romeo partnering with Valtteri Bottas. After scoring six points for the Italian team in 2022, the Chinese driver looked to have a promising 2023 season.

However, this was not to be, as Zhou could only equal his points tally for this year’s championship, again behind his teammate Bottas. The Alfa Romeo driver failed to re-display his flashes of performance in 2022, having an overall mediocre season in 2023. Sauber engineer Xexi Pujolar has warned the 24-year-old, saying there is ‘no room for error’ for him in 2024 for his seat.

In some conditions, he is a bit more sensitive to what he is feeling. The differences are not big but in terms of positions they are big, so we need to work on that for next year. There is no room for any small drop or mistake.

Zhou Guanyu said, as reported by planetf1

Zhou Guanyu has extended his contract with Alfa Romeo, now named Sauber after the Italian car manufacturer departs from Formula One, till 2024 alongside Bottas. With the driver market for the 2025 grid extremely competitive and promising talent waiting in the wings for the coming years, Zhou will have to improve drastically to retain his drive.

Zhou Guanyu optimistic for rebranded Sauber’s 2024 car

Alfa Romeo returned to Formula One just a couple of years ago, sponsoring the Sauber team and causing a rename of the longtime F1 outfit. Scoring very mediocre results, Alfa Romeo never achieved any real success in their short stint and departed at the end of the 2023 season.

Now back to the Sauber brand, the Italian team is looking for much better results in 2024, after finishing ninth out of the ten teams in 2023. With huge car development incoming for the next season, Zhou Guanyu has claimed he is extremely confident of the 2024 Sauber’s pace, with a redesign of the vehicle entirely.

I’m looking forward to obviously trying next year’s car because I think with the field, just picking up two or three tenths a lap you will be battling from the back to the midfield, so it’s super-important.

Guanyu said, as reported by si.com

The revamp of the 2024 vehicle comes ahead of the Sauber team’s buyout by Audi, which will enter the sport in 2026. The two current drivers for the team, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will have to exhibit their performance more prominently for the German manufacturer to consider retaining them after the buyout, after a dismal two seasons so far.

In case you missed it:

• “I trust this team,” Carlos Sainz whole-heartedly backs Ferrari to deliver a potent car for 2024
• F1 announces 2024 Sprint Race schedule with huge changes

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