Abstract: In the F1 Chinese Grand Prix 20 years ago, Zhou Guanyu felt the extreme charm of racing for the first time as a spectator.
On April 16, when the F1 Chinese Grand Prix is about to return this weekend, China's first Chinese-language professional racing driver documentary film "Chinese Driver Zhou Guanyu" held the world premiere of "Full Speed Ahead" at the Shanghai Poly Grand Theater.
Serious racing accidents are gripping
The film exclusively records the growth process of China's first F1 driver Zhou Guanyu, presenting his passion and fearless sportsmanship from multiple angles, which not only shows the audience Zhou Guanyu's attitude and speed as a Chinese driver, but also brings the audience an audio-visual feast showing the charm of F1 motorsports.
The most gripping sequence in the film, which is also the opening one, is that it takes place in the 2022 Formula 1 Grand Prix in the UK, where Zhou Guanyu suffered a serious accident, and the car he was driving was directly knocked over and rushed off the track, flipped violently in the air, and the body was sandwiched between barbed wire and buffer tape. This sudden accident made everyone on the field worry about him.
Zhou Guanyu took a group photo with fans. Photo courtesy of the organizer
Thankfully, after Zhou Guanyu was checked and found to be fine, he reported his safety to his family, colleagues and fans who loved him, still thinking about the next race, and miraculously appeared on the field at the next stop.
In the 2023 season of Qatar, in the extremely hot weather with a track temperature of more than 40 °C, many drivers were unable to finish the race due to physical discomfort, but Zhou Guanyu started from 19th to 9th in the high temperature environment of the carriage at about 70 °C, completing an amazing ranking surpass, which was nicknamed "paddock cactus" by many netizens.
Director Han Han made a surprise appearance
The premiere was full of people, and Han Han, the director of the "Flying Life" series of films and a famous racing driver, and other guests appeared to watch the movie. Han Han praised the immersive racing scenes in the film for restoring the real exciting experience of the racetrack, and the exclusive recording of Zhou Guanyu's growth process made people deeply feel the enthusiasm and fearless sportsmanship of his dream-chasing road.
Han Han, who also drove a racing car, also came. Photo courtesy of the organizer
Combined with his own experience in shooting racing movies, Han Han said: "This is Zhou Guanyu's "Flying Life", we can make feature films NG, stand-ins, and special effects, and he is really challenging F1 on the field with flesh and blood, a small accident and a small mistake may cause irreversible results, and when I saw him overturn, I couldn't help but sweat in my palms." ”
Han Han also said that he has been following Zhou Guanyu's performance since he was in F2, and shares good news with his friends in the circle whenever he has good news, because he knows what it means for Chinese motorsports as a professional driver. "Everything felt like a dream today, and it happened to be the weekend when there was an F1 race and I hope Zhou Guanyu can enjoy the race on his doorstep. Everyone's expectations may be high, but I still hope that it won't put too much pressure on you. ”
You won't regret choosing this path
The film is honorably presented by Shanghai Radio and Television Station, produced by SMG Five-Star Sports Media Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Jiushi Sports Event Operation and Management Co., Ltd., and jointly produced by Yuxing (Shanghai) Sports Development Co., Ltd. and Chenming Pictures (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. The film will be released nationwide on April 19.
Movie posters. Photo courtesy of the organizer
The movie "Chinese Driver Zhou Guanyu" not only showed the audience Zhou Guanyu's attitude and speed as a Chinese driver, but also brought the audience an audio-visual feast showing the charm of F1 motorsports. Zhou's F1 driver dream originated in 2004 with the first F1 Chinese Grand Prix. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the F1 Chinese Grand Prix, and Zhou Guanyu, the first person in Chinese F1, will be playing at home for the first time, bringing a wonderful performance to fans at home. In the past two years in F1, he has continued to surpass himself on the track, while also insisting on promoting motorsports and showing the world Chinese speed.
Zhou Guanyu said in the exchange session: "Shanghai is not only my hometown, but also the starting point of my dream. Twenty years ago, at the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, I felt the ultimate charm of racing for the first time as a spectator, and I was fascinated by the roar of the motor and the loud sound of the rear wing speeding against the air. Since then, I have had a dream of being a racing driver, dreaming that one day I will be able to race on the track in F1. Now that my dream has come true, as a Shanghainese, it means much more to be able to race back to my hometown as an F1 driver than when I was racing in other countries, and I hope to get a good result in the race on my home doorstep and live up to everyone's expectations of me. ”
"If you choose this path, you won't regret it," he said. This love for racing and dedication to dreams made the audience full of confidence and expectation for Zhou Guanyu and Chinese racing.
The header picture shows Zhou Guanyu speaking at the premiere. Photo courtesy of the organizer