Zhou Guanyu is the first Chinese driver in the history of Formula 1. Having made his debut with the Alfa Romeo team in 2022, he spent three seasons with them. However, by the end of 2024, it became known that his contract would not be renewed, leaving Zhou forced to seek a reserve driver position. During the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, we got in touch with him to find out how he assesses the outcome of this challenging season, what he thinks about his future career, and to ask about his impressions of the last races, fan support, fashion, cat and his friendship with teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Aleksandr Seregin
F1 Photographer
Jastina Golopolosova
Journalist
Hello, Zhou! How are you doing?
Hello! Good. The last one of the year, of the season. Of course, I really enjoyed coming to many places, such as Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Bahrain.
That’s nice! At the recent race in Qatar, you earned the first points for the team by finishing 8th! And the fans have chosen you as the Driver of the Day! Congratulations! What do these points mean for the team and for you?
It means everything for us as a team. For myself, firstly, it has been such a difficult season, with many different struggles. Some issues were probably out of my control, and some made me uncomfortable. It has been very tough. Naturally, people’s expectations started to get lower and lower, but I feel I can always deliver. That race was a perfect example because since the team gave me this new package together with both cars, it has been like another world. Before that, we were fighting for P18 and P17. Now, we are very close to scoring points and consistently trying to get into Q2, which is a real achievement. Everyone has been working really hard for that, including me, of course, and the entire team. For a long time, we never got what we deserved, so I’m really happy that we finally earned something. It’s not just one or two points; it’s a pretty good couple of points. It’s a relief—that’s the word—a relief. I just wanted to enjoy that final moment.
So wonderful! Thank you for sharing! Stake F1 Team kept bringing technical updates in each race attempting to get points during the season. Do you hope to repeat this result in your last race for the team this weekend?
I will try my best. I think we are all going to try our best. We want to finish the season in the best way possible. Now, I feel we have a car that can potentially fight for a Top 10. It won’t be easy because this season has been super strong, and teams like Williams and Racing Bulls have been phenomenal and more consistent than us. Still, who knows what can happen? I feel now we can be within range, attacking them. Everything is possible. I’m looking forward to it. The situation we are in now, compared to three weeks ago, is completely different. I’m excited because a very intense race is always more enjoyable than not doing much at the back.
Great! Good luck! And let’s look back—you made your debut in the same team in 2022. How have you grown as a driver and as a person during this time?
I think you understand a lot, firstly, as a driver when you gain experience. You learn from the really rough, tough times you go through in this sport. It’s very enjoyable—it’s the dream—but at the same time it’s tough and intense. You are always under pressure, and performing under that pressure comes partly from yourself. It also helps to have a great team. I never had to play games within the team to protect myself, just because Valtteri and I are very transparent. That trust is high, and we can really help the team and each other when we need to fight for results. We need teamwork. When that happens, mutual respect is key, because we know help will be returned in the future. As a person, I’ve met many different people and fans from various places. I’ve learned a lot about different cultures and received great support from the fan base, not only from Chinese fans but from all around the world. Representing my country and making them proud, as well as all other fans, motivates me in everything I do next.
That’s really amazing, and you mentioned Valtteri Bottas. You also prepared a very cute helmet with different moments from this season. Which points did you want to emphasize the most?
Once I knew I would be departing from the team, I wanted to make sure the helmet carried some memories. The original plan was to include memories even from the Alfa Romeo days in 2022, but due to sponsor issues and changes, I had to stick with this year’s memories.
I tried to show my story since I’ve been in Formula 1, having Valtteri as my teammate. It has been great, and I added a few off-track pictures that really show our friendship. I included some nice wording on the helmet, and on the other half, I put moments from my home race and other great times this year—still some of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had in a race weekend. I also included some pictures of me with my cat, because I got my first pet, my little cute cat after I became an F1 driver. It’s a mixture of loved ones and special memories. It’s a sweet helmet, full of emotion, and it’s beautiful.
It’s actually a very beautiful and very cute helmet. Thank you for sharing. During the Chinese Grand Prix, we asked Valtteri if he would watch a documentary about you. He replied that if there were subtitles, then yes. Do you know if he watched it in the end?
I haven’t signed off any subtitles yet, so he never asked me. It would be a good idea for him to watch during his Indoor Ironman again. I could put it on a screen, and he could spend two hours watching that documentary. I think it would be cool.
Nice! The Chinese Grand Prix was long-awaited. What was it like to perform in your country, and what did you feel when you stood at the finish line in front of thousands of fans who supported you?
It was a very emotional weekend overall. I tried to treat it like a normal weekend, but it was almost impossible. I had goosebumps every time I walked out of the garage and jumped into the car. The whole crowd was screaming, so I knew they could see me on TV or spot me there. It was a very different feeling.
You could see the massive support also during the drivers’ parade, but my focus was purely on the race ahead. Once everything was done, I just wanted to enjoy that moment. On the in-lap, parking behind the top three drivers, having my own little parking spot—this never really happened in Formula 1. I think I made it happen because I’m the first Chinese driver, but the fans made it happen with their overwhelming support. It was more than what a British driver gets at Silverstone or what Max gets in Zandvoort. It was insane. I never dreamed of having such a grateful crowd. It was very emotional, and such a beautiful moment of my life.
Yes, it was really impressive! I remember that support, and it was just… wow, really great. Speaking about your career, you set two fastest laps in your F1 career: in Japan 2022 and Bahrain 2023. Unfortunately, you didn’t get the additional points because you were outside the Top 10. As you know, next year the additional point rule will be called off. Do you agree with this?
I feel like I fully agree with that. Scoring a point for the fastest lap in Formula 1 doesn’t make sense, but I hope they keep it in feeder series like Formula 3 and Formula 2 because in those series, you have very equal performance cars and simpler strategies, so it’s more relevant. In Formula 1, it’s a bit pointless unfortunately. I’m happy with my fastest lap in Japan because it was under difficult conditions and everyone was on the same strategy. In Bahrain, we only did it to cover a competitor scoring points, even though we were outside the Top 10. That’s not how you want to earn a fastest lap point, so I think it’s the right call to get rid of it.
In our conversation, you also mentioned your cat, and Lando Norris gave you a very nice gift at the Qatar Grand Prix! My subscribers want to know: what is the maximum number of cats you would like to have at home?
Firstly, I didn’t want to reveal my gift from Lando so early, but it was so cute. I had it in Qatar and had to show people. It was a really nice, customized gift from him.
As for the cats, I will only have one. I really love the cat I have, and she is very shy and scared of new things. I want to make sure she’s comfortable at home. If I got another cat, it would likely be less shy, and I’m afraid my cat would feel uncomfortable. She trusts only the people she knows for a long time, and I’m at the top of that list. She is clever as well, so I won’t get another cat. I want to ensure she feels at home in her own space.
It is cute. Could you share your plans for the future? Are you considering other racing series or a return to Formula 1 in the future?
I’m not considering any other series now. I have some different series in mind for later in my career, if I no longer have a chance in Formula 1. I love driving, racing, and fighting for world championships.
For now, my priority is to stay on this grid. We’re looking for a reserve driver with teams, and we’re discussing it. Nothing is decided yet, and there’s no rush. I feel like I’m in a good spot where teams would be happy to have me, both for the technical side and on-track performance. We might need to take a one-year break after this tough year and then see where I end up, or which colors I’ll be wearing next year. Nothing is certain yet. First, I want to focus on the race this weekend and then see what happens in the future.
Good luck, Zhou! Last year, in an interview, you said that one day you would like to go into the fashion business. Do you plan to create your own fashion brand?
I already have my little brand, but it’s not under any specific name. It’s more like fan merchandise, but not just regular merchandise. If you look at the materials, they are high-quality. It’s a shame I don’t have an international shipping store—it’s mainly for China.
I keep the quality control very high, and I pay attention to style. For example, if I have a hoodie, it’s an oversized one, following the current trends in fashion. I’m very picky about the material, making sure I pick the right one. I don’t just give fans something with my graphics. I ensure it’s something I like and would wear myself.
As for the rest, it will take longer. I won’t do the business; I’ll do more collaborations. I can create my own clothes, but I’m not sure if I’ll sell them worldwide. Racing is still everything to me, my top priority. Fashion is more of a hobby.
Who are some of the other most stylish guys on the grid?
If I have to pick only one, it would be Lewis Hamilton. It’s very simple.
Do you think fashion helps to promote motorsport among a wide audience?
I think fashion helps both motorsport and business. Lewis was the only one doing it in the past. When I arrived in Formula 1, I was doing it, and now everyone is. Even Fernando is doing it. It’s completely different now.
It’s great because it opens different doors for partners, the team, and us as individuals. It’s a chance to show your personality. I’m happy with how everything is growing.
Cool! That’s nice! Thank you, Zhou! Good luck to you in the future and enjoy the Grand Prix!
Thank you!
Вопрос:
Джастина: Ваш контракт истекает в этом году. Вы надеетесь продолжить карьеру в Формуле 1 с нынешней командой или у вас есть альтернативные варианты?
Ответ:
Валттери: Да, снова наступает момент карьерного вопроса, и это уже не в первый раз. Конечно, у тебя должны быть свои приоритеты в этом виде спорта, и у меня свои есть. Но в то же время тебе также нужно стараться не упускать возможности и смотреть по сторонам. Это зависит не только от меня; очевидно, что решения принимают команды. Так что да, я довольно открыт в этом вопросе, но я работаю над несколькими вещами и вариантами. Это должны быть интересные несколько недель.
Вопрос:
Джастина: Как вы думаете, будете ли вы выступать в Формуле 1 в 42 года, как Фернандо Алонсо?
Ответ:
Валттери: Я не уверен. Быть в возрасте 40+ лет в Формуле 1 — это уже много. Никогда не говори никогда, но в данный момент я не знаю.
Вопрос:
Джастина: Спасибо, что поделились! Удачного гоночного уикэнда, Валттери!
Ответ:
Валттери: Спасибо!
INTERVIEW: Jastina Golopolosova for Motorsport Photographer Magazine PHOTO: ALEKSANDR SEREGIN & DANIEL BALLARIN / ASPPAIMAGES
