Zhou Guanyu, China’s first and only Formula One driver, is set to make his home debut at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. However, Zhou has been facing criticism due to his poor performance in the season’s first four races. Despite this, his Chinese fans remain hopeful and optimistic about his potential.
Having a Chinese driver in Formula One is seen as a significant advantage for the sport and its owner, Liberty Media. China is considered a key market, and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has even suggested the possibility of hosting two races in the country. This underscores the importance of Zhou’s presence in the sport.
Li Qixiang, a chemistry teacher and F1 fan from Shanghai, acknowledges that Zhou being Chinese played a role in his team’s decision to choose him. However, Li also highlights that Zhou’s personal performance has been a subject of controversy among his fans. While his potential is recognized, it is difficult to determine where he ranks compared to other drivers. Li believes that if Zhou has a good car, he may be able to perform better.
Zhou had a successful junior career, winning races in the Formula 2 series in 2021. He competed against talented drivers like Oscar Piastri, who is now with McLaren. Despite this success, Zhou has struggled in qualifying for the past three races, consistently qualifying last.
Chinese fans are eagerly awaiting Zhou’s home race in Shanghai and hope he can improve his qualifying performance. One Chinese commentator on the social media platform Xiaohongshu wrote that Zhou’s ability to improve his qualifying performance is at a critical point. They express anticipation for Zhou to demonstrate his toughness in front of his home fans.
Complicating matters is that Zhou’s contract with Sauber ends this season. Sauber is set to become the factory Audi team in 2026, creating uncertainty about the future lineup. Rumors have connected Audi to established race winners like Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who is looking for a seat for next season.
Some of Zhou’s supporters blame Sauber for his lack of success, pointing out that the team has been a midfield contender for decades with a smaller budget compared to other manufacturers. As a result, expectations among fans for Zhou’s performance in Shanghai might be low. One Chinese fan expressed doubts about Zhou’s chances of making it into the second part of qualifying due to limited practice time on the track.
Adding further excitement to the Chinese Grand Prix is the introduction of the first sprint race of the season. There will only be one practice session before sprint qualifying on Friday, followed by a 100km race on Saturday, and then regular qualifying. This new format adds an extra challenge for drivers like Zhou, who will need to adapt quickly to this condensed racing schedule.
Zhou’s home debut at the Chinese Grand Prix carries immense significance for him personally and for the sport of Formula One in China. While there are uncertainties surrounding his future in the sport and concerns about his recent performance, his fans remain hopeful that he can overcome these challenges and make a strong impression on his home soil.
