“Dreamt to be here,” Zhou Guanyu bursts into tears in front of home fans as the first Chinese driver to race in the Chinese GP

Zhou Guanyu was filled with emotions as he crossed the chequered flag in front of his home fans in Shanghai.

“Dreamt to be here,” Zhou Guanyu bursts into tears in front of home fans as the first Chinese driver to race in the Chinese GP

Zhou Guanyu at the Chinese GP (Via IMAGO), Zhou Guanyu in tears (Via F1)

Zhou Guanyu is the first ever Chinese driver to compete in Formula 1. The 24-year-old made his F1 debut in 2022 but had to wait till this weekend to finally race in front of his home fans at the Chinese GP. Guanyu came close to scoring points in the sprint race on Saturday, but failed to finish in the top 10 in the Grand Prix. Nevertheless, the Chinese driver expressed his joy in finally fulfilling his dream.

After the chequered flag, Zhou Guanyu gave an emotional message on the team radio. The Stake F1 driver claimed that he had dreamt of racing in the Chinese GP ever since he was a kid. The 24-year-old thanked the hundreds of thousands of fans supporting him in the grandstands as well as the ones watching it from their homes.

YouTube video

Guanyu was given the chance to park his car on the main straight instead of the pitlane. The Chinese driver got out of the cockpit and was greeted with cheers by the crowd. Zhou Guanyu waved to the grandstands before bursting into tears on this emotional day. Certainly, a heartwarming sight for millions of F1 fans across the world.

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Stake F1 team filled with pride over Zhou Guanyu’s home race

The Sauber-run Stake F1 team signed Zhou Guanyu in 2022, when it was known as Alfa Romeo. The Hinwil-based squad has shown faith in the Chinese driver since then. The official X account of Stake F1 wrote that the team was proud of the 24-year-old as he teared up after the race.

Zhou, we're so proud of you.
Stake F1 team wrote on X
Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu
Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu (Via: Imago)

Despite a difficult weekend for the Swiss team, Zhou Guanyu will leave Shanghai full of emotions after he finally accomplished the goal he had worked on for almost two decades. The 24-year-old was forced to leave his home city, Shanghai as a kid to compete in the European karting circuit. However, it was all worth it for Guanyu.

The Chinese driver currently has no contract for next season. As such, Guanyu would be looking to bag an extension from Stake in the coming weeks. Millions of Chinese fans would be looking forward to seeing Zhou Guanyu succeed in the pinnacle of motorsport. Although, the 24-year-old must secure his place in the sport for the foreseeable future.

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