Zhou Guanyu was emotional as he crossed the finish line in front of his supporters at his home in Shanghai. Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese driver to compete in Formula 1, made his debut at the prestigious racing event in 2022. However, only this weekend he had the opportunity to race in front of his compatriots. Despite not being able to secure a position among the top ten in the Grand Prix, the 24-year-old expressed his joy in finally achieving his lifelong dream.
After the race, Zhou Guanyu conveyed his heartfelt message over the team radio. The Stake F1 driver revealed that he aspired to race in Formula 1 since his childhood. He expressed his gratitude to the countless fans who supported him from the grandstands and from their homes.
In a special gesture, Guanyu was given permission to park his car on the main straight instead of the usual pitlane. As he got out of the cockpit, he was greeted with deafening applause from the crowd. Zhou Guanyu waved to the fans before being overwhelmed by tears on this deeply emotional day. This touching scene undoubtedly warmed the hearts of millions of Formula 1 enthusiasts worldwide.
Zhou Guanyu joined the Sauber team in 2022, when it had a different name. The Hinwil-based team always showed confidence in the skills of the Chinese driver. The official Stake F1 account expressed pride in the 24-year-old, who was emotional after the race.
Despite a challenging weekend for the Swiss team, Zhou Guanyu will leave Shanghai with a multitude of emotions, as he finally achieved the goal he had worked tirelessly for almost twenty years. As a child, he had to leave his hometown of Shanghai to compete in the European karting circuit. However, all the sacrifices proved to be worth it for Guanyu.
Currently, Zhou Guanyu does not have a contract for the upcoming season. Therefore, he will seek a renewal with Stake in the coming weeks. Numerous Chinese fans eagerly await Zhou Guanyu’s success in the pinnacle of motorsport. However, the 24-year-old needs to secure his position in the sport in the near future.
