Zhou Guanyu has been waiting 20 years for this moment

Formula 1 is a sport filled with fascinating personalities, from the drivers on the track to the team bosses off it. But at the Chinese Grand Prix this week there is one clear main character.

Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu.

Zhou is set to make F1 history as the first Chinese driver to participate in a race at home, with the grid returning to Shanghai for the first time since 2019. At that time Zhou was driving in F2, just hoping for one of the 20 spots on the grid.

Now he has one, and is hoping to make a little more history this weekend by not just racing, but finishing in the points.

It is a moment that Zhou has been waiting decades for, as he outlined at the FIA Press Conference Thursday morning.

“But for me, of course, it’s been 20 years waiting for this Grand Prix. And, yeah, let’s say this journey has been not extremely easy, just because where I’m coming from, and also, you know, trying to win at least a lot of races in feeder series to be here. And then once in F1, every year, of course, when you realise that the home race is not happening, two years in a row, we try to kind of do your best to maintain your seat and then to be here, today,” said Zhou on Thursday.

Still, the Sauber driver has a job to do, even if he will be battling mixed emotions over the weekend.

“So for me, of course, I’m still focused on my job, like always said, I know this is very, let’s say a mix of emotions going to this weekend, especially when we have on Sunday with the national anthem going on and also the memory, you know, quickly reflect on your mind,” added Zhou. “But as much as I am a race driver, I think the most important, critical thing is to do the right job on track, which is try to score points, give the maximum I have on the package on the car we have, which, I feel like we have potential even though it’s not a track I know the best in terms of the layout.

“I never drove here in a single seater. But I still feel like we have a good opportunity with the format. And for myself, I think we just focus on that. And hopefully, it’s not going to be the only one because I’m planning hopefully to stay here as long as I could. And everybody loves to be having a long career in Formula 1 and that’s where we dream to be. So yeah, let’s get over this weekend in a positive way, hopefully reach some good results on Sunday.”

Zhou also addressed the explosion of F1 in China, growth bolstered by his presence on the grid.

“Firstly, I think I’ve been extremely busy. One of the busiest men probably in Shanghai over the last week and a half after the Japanese Grand Prix. I came straight back, a lot activities done. And also a lot of meet and greets with fans, people like that. It’s great to say, for support from the country already,” said Zhou. “And for me, the pressure, of course, this race is a little bit higher, but I don’t think it gets much more than probably my first race, my debut in Formula 1 because by now everything feels a lot more familiar than back in the day.

“You know, everything was very new. And first day here is completely different to now, third season. So I’m just going to use that, like I already mentioned, this is a normal weekend, as much as I, you know, will enjoy this whole weekend experience. And then yeah, for me, working together with some Chinese brands or car companies, they are based in the Geely group, so, for me, one of the biggest car companies in the whole China,” added Zhou.

“So, one day, hopefully a dream to have manufacturers involved in Formula 1 that can help a lot, not just myself, also other young generations coming from China, Chinese drivers to help them guide their way into Formula 1,” continued the driver. “Of course, I would love to have more companies like that involved. But now, you know, I’m happy with what I’m driving with Sauber and, you know, focus on the weekend job and try to do the best possible.”

Earlier this week, Zhou shared an amazing photograph of himself as a child, attending the race he is now set to drive in:

The driver talked about what it will take to see another Chinese driver on the grid.

“But let’s say the biggest difference in motorsports, Formula 1 is that you don’t get too much of a country’s support behind. And of course, to being an F1 driver, you need some financial support. That’s clear. But I don’t think in China we have enough families, people that have the budget, and also, hopefully, the interests that they can get involved in Formula 1. But it takes a lot. It’s easy to be a racing driver as a hobby,” outlined Zhou.

“But to take this professional journey, only 20 of us drivers to be here, it’s not an easy one. The amount of sacrifice and also the hard work behind the scenes for every individual drivers to be there, it’s very complex. And also, it takes a lot of time. And for me, happy to be kind of the role model in this country,” added the Sauber driver. “But still, I think you need to put effort into that. And also, having a lot companies, manufacturer involved in helping the young generation, to guide them forward. And yeah, let’s see what I can do. Maybe when I retire from racing to help more, but at the moment, I’m just hoping to inspire some young people, and they can come a long way.”