Guanyu Zhou rubbed shoulders with Fernando Alonso at Renault F1 then Alpine F1, within the French manufacturer’s academy. The one who is now a starter at Alfa Romeo reveals having met the double world champion, as well as other drivers, and having enjoyed discovering them and racing against them at the start of the season.
« I know Alonso and [Daniel] Ricciardo for a long time because we were in the same team in the past and I was an Academy rider » Zhou explained.
« People like Sebastian [Vettel] or Lewis [Hamilton], I had never spoken to them in the past. Everyone was very warm and welcoming. Especially in Bahrain, it’s the first time that everyone sees each other and talks with all the drivers. »
« It’s cool to have these people around me, because I didn’t expect to race with very experienced riders. I remember the first race I watched, they were there and they are still there. It’s a special feeling, and I really enjoy fighting with it on the track. »
A passion that led him to support the Spaniard
Zhou attended a Formula 1 Grand Prix for the first time in China in 2004, and the following year he returned, just six years old, to support Fernando Alonso and his Renault, freshly crowned world champions. He returned there every year thereafter to support his idol.
A photo in which he was holding a Renault flag had then immortalized Zhou’s presence on the circuit: « I came in 2004. That day, I didn’t know anything about motorsports. I was just there as a fan in general. I saw his race, and I thought it was a very good driver. »
“I had this dream in my mind that one day I could be a Formula 1 driver. The second year that the Chinese Grand Prix took place, I understood motorsport better and held its flag. saw this picture on social media. »
Running against those who were his idols
Today, Zhou takes pleasure in racing against those who were his idols, and whom he must consider as adversaries.
« It’s quite strange, a weird feeling to be honest. Because, the first time I met him, we were together doing tests, private days for Alpine. The following year, the year of his return to F1, I was able to drive in EL1 in Austria, in his car. It was a very special moment.
« I never thought it would ever happen. Now I’m racing against him on the same grid, against Alpine, one of our main competitors in this very close battle in the middle of the peloton, and it was special. to hear his name on the radio during the first race in Bahrain. »
« We fought for that last point until the end of the race, so it was a special moment. Hearing all these legendary names like Hamilton, [Max] Verstappen, Alonso… and now it’s just other drivers. But at the time, it was very special, so it’s hard to describe that feeling. »
