Let the world see China - an interview with Zhou Guanyu, China's first official F1 driver
The Formula One World Championship (F1) Chinese Grand Prix recently kicked off at the Shanghai International Circuit, and China's first official F1 driver, Zhou Guanyu, made his home debut. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency, he said that he hoped that more and more people would pay attention to motorsports, and that more and more young people and children would participate in motorsports, and that he believed that China's racing industry would get better and better.
"Without Shanghai, I wouldn't have had the start of my dreams, and I wouldn't be on the grid of the Chinese Grand Prix 20 years from now. The establishment of F1 Shanghai has given more Chinese drivers the possibility to go global. Zhou Guanyu said.
On April 20, Sauber Racing Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu in qualifying. On the same day, the F1 Chinese Grand Prix qualifying race was held at the Shanghai International Circuit. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Xiang
In 2004, the first F1 Chinese Grand Prix was held. Seat 24 of the K stand, this is the seat number of Zhou Guanyu, who was only 5 years old at the time. Coincidentally, 24 is also the racing number of Zhou Guanyu today. "In 2004, I was a fan of the 24th seat, and I didn't quite understand what racing was. Later, I gradually got my own idol riders, and I went all the way from karting racing. I want to say to my self yesterday, 'Hold on to your dreams, you've been doing well'. I would say to myself when I first started motorsports, 'Don't be afraid to fight, believe in yourself, you're no worse than foreign drivers'. ”
Zhou Guanyu has a lot of feelings: "In an unfamiliar environment, I didn't have a guide, relying on myself and my team, from a hobby to a professional driver. At home you are a champion driver, but in Europe you find that your peers are much better than you think. In the end, I was lucky enough to break into F1, stumbling all the way, and never regretted it. ”
In 2021, Zhou Guanyu became China's first official F1 driver. Since his F1 career, his achievements have been evident: finishing in the top eight at the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix, being named Autosport's Rookie of the Year, qualifying fifth at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, and successfully renewing his contract with the team for the 2024 season...... "Every stage is important, winning the championship in F3, then winning the F2 race, and finishing in the top three of the year, every result continues to motivate me to move forward. ”
Sauber's Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu (center) greets spectators before a practice session on April 19. On the same day, the F1 Chinese Grand Prix kicked off in Shanghai. Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu made his home debut. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xia Fangfang
The 2024 F1 Chinese Grand Prix is also the 20th anniversary of the Shanghai International Circuit. "Ever since I joined Formula 1, the Shanghai International Circuit has always been the place I've wanted to be, it's a track that's both familiar and unfamiliar to me. Regarding the pressure of playing at home, Zhou Guanyu replied indifferently: "I feel more motivated, with the expectations of fans and myself, hoping to have a better performance at home." ”
The nostalgia for his hometown is also integrated into Zhou Guanyu's design of the helmet for the Chinese station: Shanghai's subway map runs through it, highlighting a number of Shanghai landmarks, such as Yu Garden, Waibaidu Bridge, and Lujiazui "four-piece suit", which are very distinctive. "These are the elements I want to show to the world. I am a driver from Shanghai, China, and I hope to let the world see the development of Chinese racing, and I also hope that more young Chinese drivers will go to the world. ”
Zhou Guanyu shows the helmet of the Chinese station. The picture comes from Zhou Guanyu's Weibo
In the future, Zhou Guanyu wants to do a lot. "When I get old and my racing career is over, I hope to help more young drivers to fulfill their racing dreams, and share my own experience with them over the years, so that I can better guide them on the road to success." ”
For the upcoming season, Zhou Guanyu's answer is simple and to the point: "My goal is to have more outstanding performances in both qualifying and the main race, and at the same time win the competition with the mid-range team as much as possible to get more points." ”