Scoring points on his debut at the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix, Zhou Guanyu became the first Chinese driver to compete in Formula One. His entry into the top tier of motorsport followed a decade of international competition, transitioning from karting circuits in Europe to a career in the FIA Formula 2 Championship.
Early Development and Karting
Born in 1999 in Shanghai, Zhou began karting at age eight. In 2012, he relocated to Sheffield to pursue a competitive racing environment, attending Birkdale School. By 2013, he achieved significant success with the Strawberry Racing team, winning the Super 1 National Rotax Max Junior Championship and the Rotax Max Euro Challenge. His karting career concluded with a runner-up finish in the Rotax Max Senior Euro Challenge.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Progression Through Junior Formulae
Zhou transitioned to junior racing in 2014. In 2015, he joined Prema Powerteam for the Italian F4 Championship, finishing as the vice-champion and top rookie after winning three races at Monza. Between 2016 and 2018, he competed in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship with Motopark and Prema, ultimately securing three poles and two victories. During this period, he was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy.
Formula 2 and Academy Roles
From 2019 to 2021, Zhou competed in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with UNI-Virtuosi. During his tenure, which included time with the Alpine Academy and as a test driver for Renault and Alpine, he secured his first F2 pole at Silverstone in 2019. In his final F2 season, he achieved four victories and nine podium finishes, ending the championship in third place.
Formula One Career
Zhou entered Formula One with Alfa Romeo in 2022, partnering Valtteri Bottas. His tenure spanned until the conclusion of the 2024 season, during which he raced for the team under its re-branded identity, Sauber. Throughout his Formula One career, he secured sixteen championship points and two fastest laps, including a points finish in the C44 at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Fast facts
- Born: 1999, Shanghai
- Formula One Debut: 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix
- Formula One Teams: Alfa Romeo, Sauber
- Best F2 Championship Finish: 3rd (2021)
- Languages: Chinese
- Education: Birkdale School
Questions readers ask
What is Zhou Guanyu's historical significance in F1?
He is the first and only Chinese driver to have competed in Formula One.
What were his primary achievements in Formula 2?
He finished third in the 2021 championship, recording four wins and one pole position that season.
Achievements
- Discipline: auto racing and Formula One
.jpg)
