Alfa Romeo have retained Guanyu Zhou for the 2024 F1 season in an unchanged line-up.
Zhou will once again partner Valtteri Bottas after the pair joined Alfa Romeo last season, although Alfa Romeo are set to leave F1 at the end of the season – with the team name reverting to Sauber.
The 24 year-old Shanghai driver however has struggled this season with just four points in 14 races, although he lies 16th in the championship which marked a step forward from his 18th-placed finish last season albeit with six points.
Alfa Romeo however have opted to retain him in an unchanged driver line-up, which Zhou described as “always a great feeling,” especially after a difficult second season for the Shanghai-born driver.
Zhou also acknowledged the team for their support as he said: “I am proud to be part of Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake and grateful for their trust: I have been working extremely hard since day one and there is an incredible level of motivation to keep doing so every day forward.
“My relationship with Valtteri is really good, and we are working closely together and with the team to push everyone forward.”
China is also set to return to the F1 calendar after a five-year absence due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, taking place on weekend of 19-21 April which will mark the first home race for Zhou who becomes the first Chinese driver to race at his home F1 event.
Looking ahead to that particular race, Zhou added: “I am also very excited about the opportunity to finally race with my team in China, in front of my home crowd. It will be a great moment and I’m proud to be able to share it with all those who have supported me.”
Bottas meanwhile added that he can’t wait for the “exciting journey ahead of us,” as he praised Zhou for motivating him. “There is a good atmosphere within our squad, I get along with Zhou and we both push each other hard to improve.”
Confirmation of Zhou’s drive also means that F2’s current championship leader, Theo Pourchaire will remain as Reserve Driver for next season, of which the Frenchman is “really happy and grateful” to be continuing with view to a race seat in 2025.
Pourchaire is currently sat on the sidelines for the next two months due to the F2 season taking a break before the season finale in Abu Dhabi in late November, but he has praised the team for their “outstanding” support.
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