(Shanghai) The great Formula 1 circus will return to China this weekend after an absence of five years. And no matter who triumphs on Sunday, the headliner will be Chinese-born driver Zhou Guanyu.
Although his results were modest, Zhou received the treatment reserved for movie stars in China. He is also the subject of a new film, which will pay tribute to the first Chinese driver to participate in the F1 world championship. And he is, of course, the darling of sponsors who wish to reach the Chinese audience.
Ahead of the first Grand Prix to be presented in Shanghai since 2019, Zhou described this race as being very special for him. He also declared that “since there is a Chinese driver on the grid, then we will write a page of history”.
Even before attending the drivers’ press conference on Thursday, where he was asked about everything from the economy to politics in China to the country’s thriving auto industry, Zhou had spent more than ‘a week of participating in promotional activities and meetings with sponsors, investors and racing fans.
“I’ve been extremely busy, you know — I’ve probably been the busiest man in Shanghai for about a week and a half,” he agreed. I participated in many activities. It’s nice to see the enthusiasm across the country. »
Zhou has never won in F1. In 48 races since his arrival in F1 in 2022, he has never been on the podium. At his last Grand Prix, two weeks ago in Japan, his Sauber car died due to a gearbox problem and he finished 18e out of 20 participants.
In 2023, he finished at 18e rank in the drivers’ championship with a collection of six points in 22 races.
However, these statistics are futile in the eyes of Chinese racing fans, who want to celebrate one of their own in F1.
“The pressure… of course it will be a little more intense here, but I don’t think it can reach the level of my first career race in F1,” he confided. Today, I have acclimated to this series, I am more comfortable. My first day (in F1) was totally different… and I’m in my third campaign. »
Zhou was born in Shanghai, but spent most of his academic years in England. The race scheduled for Sunday will be special for him, and for his country. The last time the Chinese Grand Prix was held was in 2019, as the following four editions were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton won the race in 2019. However, the Briton scored his last F1 victory in 2021. And Hamilton’s winless streak is now 49 races.
The Chinese Grand Prix weekend will feature a sprint event on Saturday. Drivers have expressed some concerns about staging a sprint race on a track that has not been used since 2019.
The only free practice session will take place on Friday, and it will be followed by the qualifying session for the sprint race. The sprint race will follow on Saturday, as will the qualifying session for the traditional race scheduled for Sunday — on a track that has just been paved with new stones.
reference: www.lapresse.ca