Zhou Guanyu Criticizes F1’s Double Standards, Cites Disparity in Reactions to His and Oliver Bearman’s Entry into the Sport
Chinese F1 driver Zhou Guanyu has spoken out against the racial biases he perceives within the sport, drawing attention to the stark contrast in reactions to his signing with Alfa Romeo (now Sauber) compared to the United Kingdom’s Oliver Bearman securing a seat with Haas for the upcoming season.
Zhou, who joined Alfa Romeo in 2022 after finishing third in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and winning the F3 Asian Championship, has faced criticism and racist abuse from some quarters of the F1 community. Despite his impressive track record, which includes eight wins and 20 podiums across various championships, Zhou’s entry into Formula 1 was met with skepticism. Critics argued that other drivers, such as Robert Schwartzman, Callum Ilott, or Oscar Piastri, were more deserving of the Alfa Romeo seat.
In a recent interview with The Race, Zhou pointed to Bearman’s signing with Haas as an example of the double standards in the sport. Bearman, who is currently languishing in 15th place in the 2024 Formula 2 standings, has received a far more positive reception despite his less stellar results.
“When I signed a contract with Alfa Romeo, there was a lot of racist abuse people were giving [me] because they didn’t follow my career,” Zhou remarked. “I came around with third place in F2, winning four races that year. And [now] you see a driver outside of the top 10 at the moment is getting a seat and there’s a lot of support for him.”
Zhou’s comments highlight a significant disparity in how drivers are perceived and treated based on their race and nationality. While Bearman, who hails from Chelmsford in the UK, has been praised for his performance in the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix—where he stood in for Carlos Sainz and finished seventh—his overall F2 season has been less impressive, with just five points finishes from 18 races.
In contrast, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who is also set to land an F1 seat from 2025, has outperformed Bearman in F2, currently sitting seventh in the standings with two wins and 87 points. Yet, the discourse surrounding Bearman’s entry into F1 lacks the critical scrutiny that Zhou faced, and discussions about Bearman’s race and nationality are notably absent.
Zhou’s critique sheds light on the underlying biases within Formula 1, where drivers from non-European backgrounds often face greater scrutiny and skepticism, regardless of their achievements. As Zhou prepares for the next phase of his career, his remarks serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by drivers of diverse backgrounds in gaining fair recognition within the sport.
Photo from Zhou Guanyu Instagram
