Zhou Guanyu seems to blame his somewhat ‘backmarker’ status in F1 for his less popularity in China

24-year-old Zhou Guanyu is the only ever driver from China to compete in Formula One in history.

Zhou Guanyu seems to blame his somewhat ‘backmarker’ status in F1 for his less popularity in China

Zhou Guanyu (via IMAGO)

Zhou Guanyu joined the sport in 2022, replacing the departing Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo. Zhou’s entry into the sport was significant for him, as he became the only Chinese national ever to start a Formula One Grand Prix, bearing the burden of a whole country’s representation on his shoulders. 

Zhou has certainly done well in his two-year stint in the sport, matching decently well to his teammate Valtteri Bottas with some standout performances. However, the 24-year-old pointed out the opposite side of the coin that is representing a country. Zhou claimed that the pressure mounted on him to perform, being the only ever Chinese F1 driver.

But the pressure has definitely felt less because the first time I joined F1 a lot of people started watching, but they didn’t know that you can be just a backmarker.
Zhou Guanyu said, via motorsportweek.com

Zhou also pointed out the competitiveness of his home country and the results-based orientation of the society there. The Sauber driver claimed that half the viewers would only come to see victory and dominance for their country.

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China is a country where 50% of people only see you when you’re winning.

The young driver will be continuing in 2024 with the newly named Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, after the departure of the Alfa Romeo brand from the sport. Zhou will partner his teammate Bottas for a third year, having driven alongside the more experienced Finnish man his whole career.

Zhou Guanyu reveals F1 shadowed sports he played as a child

Zhou Guanyu joined F1 in 2022 to be the third Asian driver on the grid after Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon, and the first-ever from China. Zhou experienced great results in junior categories, winning the F3 Asian Championship prior to his F1 debut.

Zhou Guanyu
Zhou Guanyu (via F1TV)

Zhou revealed in an interview that he dabbled in athletic activities as a child on the way to F1, playing a lot of sports. The former Alpine test-driver said that though he enjoyed playing sports, driving cars outshone his passion for other sports, the speed and engines alluring the young Zhou.

I really like different sports. [I was] quite an athletic young kid. But then I just feel like the passion I had for F1, out driving cars, the speed, the noise of the engine just makes me very, very excited
Zhou Guanyu said, via Motorsport Week

Zhou Guanyu is set to drive his third season in F1 in 2024 in the penultimate year of Sauber in Formula One, two years ahead of the planned buyout of the team by Audi. The young Chinese driver is yet to outperform his teammate Bottas, drawing the short end of performance in both his campaigns so far.

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