Zhou Guanyu will race for Alfa Romeo in 2023 after inking a new deal with his Formula 1 team — a major plus in a year marred by a horrific crash.
Formula 1’s first full-time Chinese driver will continue to partner Valtteri Bottas after doing enough in his rookie campaign to earn a fresh contract.
Zhou was involved in a terrifying first-lap crash at July’s British Grand Prix, rocketing across the gravel with his Alfa Romeo upside down and slamming into a tyre barrier and fencing, having been clipped in a multi-car accident.
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“I don’t know how I survived,” Zhou admitted.
He’s sitting in 17th in the drivers’ standings after 16 rounds.
“I am looking forward to continuing working with Zhou,” said Alfa Romeo boss Fred Vasseur.
“From day one with the team, at the Abu Dhabi test last year, he has impressed me with his approach to work, and this is always a very positive trait.
“We knew he was quick, but the way he adapted to Formula 1 in such a short time has been one of the best surprises of our season.
“He is a very nice guy, everyone in the team likes both his personality and attitude. He has had the humility to ask questions and learn, from the engineers as well as Valtteri, and the intelligence to apply all the information he got to improve race after race.
“He will have this experience to draw on next season, and I am sure he will make another step forward as we continue to grow our team.”
Zhou opened his Formula 1 career in promising fashion at the Bahrain Grand Prix in March, finishing in 10th to earn one point.
He again finished in the points in Canada and at the Italian Grand Prix.
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“I am happy and grateful to Alfa Romeo F1 team for the opportunity to be part of the team for another season,” Zhou said.
“Making it to Formula 1 was a dream come true and the feeling of competing for the first time in a race will live with me forever.
“The team has been incredibly supportive, welcoming me from day one and helping me adapt to the most complex series in motorsport.
“There is more that I want to achieve in this sport and with the team, and the hard work we have put together since the start of the year is just the first step towards where we want to be next season.
“There is still a lot to learn, a lot to develop, but I am confident in our work.
“I am looking forward to the next chapter of our story together.”
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