A super driver's license is a stepping stone to becoming an F1 driver. At the beginning of 2021, Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu is one step closer to his F1 driver dream. Last weekend, Zhou Guanyu won the drivers' championship at the 2021 FIA Asian F3 Championship with a total score of 257 points, scoring 18 super driver's license points. He has now scored 38 points, just 2 points away from the 40 points needed to qualify for an F1 driver's super driver's license. On the 23rd, the Jiefang Daily Shangguan news reporter contacted Zhou Guanyu to hear him talk about the feeling of getting a super driver's license, and looking forward to the 2021 F2 season.
Under normal circumstances, Zhou Guanyu can qualify for a super driver's license after completing the 2021 season. It is worth mentioning that Zhou Guanyu can add 2 points as long as he has two free practice stage appearances in the new F1 season and has accumulated at least 100 kilometers of driving each time. This also means that Zhou Guanyu has been nailed down to get a super driver's license, but it is only a matter of time.
The New Year made a good start, Zhou Guanyu admitted that he was very satisfied with his performance, and his initial goal was to win the championship. But the championship came with some twists and turns. Throughout the Asian F3 Championship series, Zhou Guanyu made a perfect start with two consecutive wins before being overtaken by his opponents in the overall standings due to a series of accidents and mechanical failures. Fortunately, with excellent play and strong psychological quality, Zhou Guanyu withstood the pressure, surpassed the points in the penultimate round, and locked up the victory in the final round and won the championship.
Having already competed in F2 before, why did you switch to F3 this year? Zhou Guanyu said, "Participating in this event can keep you in good shape in the off-season while accumulating points. Last year, F2 finished sixth in the year, which was satisfactory, but due to several car failures, many points were missed. ”
With the qualification for an F1 Super Driver's License very close, is it easier to get into F2? In this regard, Zhou Guanyu maintained a sober understanding. Because the top three in F2 have more opportunities to join the F1 team, he still has to compete for the F2 drivers' championship this season, "definitely hoping to achieve better results than last year." ”
Talking about the advantages and disadvantages of going to F2 race again, Zhou Guanyu said that his advantage is to improve his driving experience through the adaptation of the new tires last season, and at the same time, he can do the best in every detail of the previous race. "However, this year's format is different, the 12 races have been reduced to 9 stops, and each race has 3 rounds, which requires more stability."
In early March, the new F2 season will be unveiled. The F3 competition allowed Zhou Guanyu to experience a tense four weeks, and also warmed up the rhythm of the game in advance. "Participating in the race is a good exercise for both the body and the mind, even if you usually work out, the muscles used to really drive the car are different, and the exercise effect is different." However, after driving an F2 car, Zhou Guanyu once again had to adapt to different driving styles to adapt to high downforce and high horsepower racing.
Preparing for entering F1 in advance has also become something that Zhou Guanyu should consider in 2021. "Off the track, I do more F1-related homework, like taking simulator tests and helping the team develop. Try to learn from the two drivers (Renault) Alonso and Aucom on the race weekend, and go to the headquarters to talk to the engineers. ”
Asked about his favorite F1 driver, Zhou Guanyu said: "The idol at first was Alonso, then Ricard. "Now, for Zhou Guanyu, the most important thing on the road to pursuing his dreams is to do yourself well.
Column Editor-in-Chief: Chen Hua Text Editor: Qin Dongying Title Image Source: Jiushi Sports
Source: Author: Qin Dongying