Zhou Guanyu snubs Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as he picks the best driver on the F1 grid
When picking out the best driver on the F1 grid, Zhou Guanyu went in a different direction as he does think that it's Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton.
Follow Us
Zhou Guanyu
Zhou Guanyu, who is in his second season in Formula 1, the pinnacle of motor racing, has admitted that the former 2-time F1 World Champion, Fernando Alonso is his F1 idol. The Chinese driver has been seeing the prolific Spaniard do his thing at the top for many years, and put simply, he is in awe of him. Now, that he competes against Alonso in F1, this admiration hasn’t lessened.
Zhou Guanyu never thought that he would be racing with Alonso in F1. While shedding light on who he believes is the best driver on the F1 grid, he told Total-Motorsport.com: “For me, Fernando Alonso. It’s clear that will be my choice because he was my racing idol since I was a young kid. My first race [which I attended] was in Shanghai [in] 2004. He was there, and then [he started] winning races the next two years. I watched him holding his flag, so I’ve been a big fan of his.”
He added: “I never expected to be racing with my childhood idol 10-15 years later, so that’s an achievement. When he has a very strong car, he can put it at the front.” Zhou has made it known that he considers it an achievement to be racing with the Spanish maestro in F1. Moreover, has even indicated that, whenever Alonso gets a competitive car, he has always managed to stick it at the front end of the grid. This is one trait of Alonso that Zhou is really a big fan of.
Many people would choose Max Verstappen, the current dominant force in F1, or Lewis Hamilton, but Zhou went in a different direction. The Chinese driver is 23 years old and has got several years ahead of him. On the other hand, Fernando Alonso’s F1 chapter would surely come to an end in a few years’ time considering he is in his early 40s. However, until that time, just like everyone, Zhou too, is going to enjoy the Spaniard pushing F1 machinery to its absolute limit.
Zhou Guanyu wants to stay in F1 for as long as possible
Zhou Guanyu is one of the young drivers on the F1 who is still finding his feet in the sport. After an up-and-down, but decent 2022 season, he has now started showing his rely class this year and has performed well in comparison to his more experienced teammate, Valtteri Bottas. He does not have a contract in place beyond 2023 and he is well aware of the delicate situation.
While talking about the same, he said: “The most important thing is improving myself [and securing] a contract extension. We will see you know if, in the case, it goes [ahead] or not. But I just want to stay in F1, and then if I do well here, a home race [would be a bonus].” Looking at his comments, it is pretty clear that everything is secondary for him other than putting pen to paper on a new F1 deal.
He would really like to see the Chinese GP back on the F1 calendar, but before that, he wants to secure his future in the sport so that. Having his home race on the calendar is just an added bonus. He has improved massively since the 2022 season, and if he is able to continue his good form throughout the 2023 campaign, then it is very possible that he would be able to retain his place with Alfa Romeo for 2024.
In case you missed it:
- Carlos Sainz lashes out at “invented rumors” of him joining Audi in 2026
- “They are definitely surmountable,” Ex-Ferrari race engineer asserts that Red Bull is not unbeatable
Stay Updated!
Rishabh Negi
(3244 Articles Published)