Frederic Vasseur believes people are underestimating Gunayu Zhou as he is confident with the Alfa Romeo F1 pair with Valtteri Bottas.
In the 2022 season, Zhou will join the F1 brotherhood with Alfa Romeo. It’s a good move for him and one that may or may not have surprised a lot of people. He finished third in the last F2 season, albeit well behind champion Oscar Piastri, but he definitely has something to give the team.
His promotion to F1 has been particularly questioned with Piastri on the sidelines – despite the fact that Zhou has the required super license points. The Australian’s connections with Alpine made it difficult as the French manufacturer refused to borrow it and neither did Alfa Romeo have the budget to accept it.
We all know that Formula 1 is sponsorship-driven and it’s no secret that the debut Chinese Alfa Romeo is a major contributor, but while some people say, “I told you,” he did a good job in Formula 2 . He has a good track record and of course that always helps so maybe he’s not just a paid driver.
Vasseur – who has worked a lot with young drivers – notes that performance is always the first criterion and that Zhou is underestimated in this regard. “The first criterion is the team’s performance,” he said. “To perform well, you need good drivers, good technicians, good engineers, a good feeling from the drivers and a good budget. It was certainly a pillar of the decision.
“I was always so clear because we want to hit the cost cap. It is the best way for us to be efficient. But it’s not the only one. I think Zhou is again doing a very good job in Formula 2 and I think that everyone underestimates the level of performance and the work Zhou has done this season, ”summarized Vasseur.
He goes on to speak of him with great applause. In fairness, he has only positive things to say in all respects and is very impressed with his dedication to reaching the top, even as a teenager. “Quality, I think first I think the performance speaks for itself, but he is a front runner that he won in Bahrain and Silverstone this season,” continued Vasseur.
“In Formula 2 there are probably the two most demanding tracks, Bahrain for tire management and Silverstone, they are high-speed corners, but he has driven a few pole positions, he is always there, constant and I am sure that he will do well in the next step will cut off and I would also say the determination because he moved to Europe from China and we know full well that it is not easy for a driver to move to Japan himself and Zhou did the opposite.
“But at 13 you move to Europe just because you want to become a racing driver, for me it’s a mega, huge obligation, but I’m convinced that he will put all his energy into the project and I am convinced that he will do it will do well, ”summed up Vasseur. Of course, at Alfa next season there will be a brand new driver combination with Zhou paired with the enormously experienced Bottas.
The signing of Finn was a deal that was finalized last August and it is a great coup for her. It can only be a plus. Some will say it’s not a step up for Bottas, but now as a team leader it’s up to him to show Zhou and lead by example. If anything, he should face the situation. A strong season last year, especially from Hungary.
“I think the combination is important, Valtteri is very experienced and doing very well,” said Vasseur. “He did a fantastic second part of the season in 2021 and will bring his own experience to the team. We will also have a rookie from Formula 2 who I think it is always important for the rookie to have a reference and with Valtteri he will have one of the best references in this field. “
The story was written by Neil Farell
Here is Frederic Vasseur, not exactly pushing Theo Pourchaire upstairs
