Zhou, from Sauber, who is participating in the first Chinese Grand Prix since 2019 in Shanghai this week, has failed to score points in the first four races of the season. However, his supporters in China remain optimistic.
Having a Chinese driver in Formula 1 is advantageous for F1 and its owner Liberty Media, as they see China as a crucial and untapped market. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has already expressed the possibility of China hosting two races in the future.
Li Qixiang, an F1 fan and chemistry teacher from Shanghai who has tickets for Sunday’s race, said: “Zhou being a Chinese driver definitely influenced his team’s decision to choose him. His performance is a topic of debate among his fans. Although his potential is recognized, it is difficult to determine his ranking compared to other drivers. If he has a good car, he may perform better.”
Zhou had a successful junior career, winning races in the Formula 2 series in 2021. He competed against strong competitors, such as McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, who achieved two podiums as a rookie last year.
A Chinese commentator on the social media platform Xiaohongshu wrote: “Zhou Guanyu’s ability to improve his performance in qualifying is crucial at this moment. I look forward to seeing Zhou’s resilience in front of his fans in Shanghai.”
At the end of the season, Zhou’s contract with Sauber will expire. Sauber is set to become Audi’s factory team in 2026, which raises uncertainty regarding the future driver lineup. The German manufacturer has ambitious goals and has been linked to race winners like Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who is seeking a spot for next season when seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will replace him.
Many of Zhou’s supporters attribute his lack of success to Sauber, a Switzerland-based team that has been competing in the midfield for decades with a significantly smaller budget compared to other manufacturers.
“I have relatively low expectations for Shanghai, to be honest. Zhou Guanyu will only have one practice session to familiarize himself with the track… I don’t believe he will even make it to the second part of qualifying,” expressed another Chinese fan on Xiaohongshu.
The Chinese Grand Prix is also the first sprint race of the season, with only one practice session before the sprint qualifying on Friday. This will be followed by a 100 km race on Saturday before the regular qualifying session. (Reporting by Joe Cash)
