China’s Zhou Guanyu and Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN have committed to a continued partnership for the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship, with the team confirming that the Chinese rookie would stay on as a driver alongside Finn Valtteri Bottas. The news marks a milestone for Zhou as he solidifies his position on the grid and paves the way for further development within the FIA Formula 1 calendar.
Zhou, 23, entered his first full season as an official Alfa Romeo driver in 2022 and quickly established himself as a competitive presence. He became the only rookie on the current grid to score points in his debut season, showing resilience and pace capable of delivering strong results. He finished tenth at the Bahrain Grand Prix, secured an eighth place in Canada, and returned to the points with another tenth-place finish in Italy. These early points helped him climb the order in the World Championship standings, where he finished the season seventeenth with a total of six points.
Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN highlighted the performance and maturity Zhou demonstrated during a demanding start to his Formula 1 journey. The team credited his steady progress with contributing to the development of the squad and praised his on-track consistency and ability to adapt under pressure.
The announcement, accompanied by social media messaging from the team, underscored the continuation of a partnership that has become a symbol of growth for both Zhou and Alfa Romeo. The Shanghai-born driver is noted for his measured approach and determined work ethic, qualities that have increasingly impressed engineers and leadership within the outfit as they prepared for the challenges of the following season.
Fans and analysts observed Zhou’s ability to learn quickly from the engineers and from team-mate Valtteri Bottas, a veteran driver whose experience has provided a valuable mentor role. The team’s leadership spoke highly of Zhou’s humility and his willingness to ask questions and apply new knowledge, a combination that supports continual improvement with every race weekend.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur emphasized the positive trajectory since Zhou joined the squad, noting that the youngster’s adaptation to Formula 1 was smoother than many observers anticipated. The manager pointed to Zhou’s speed and the way he absorbed feedback as key indicators of his potential to accelerate the team’s progress in the seasons ahead.
Beyond on-track performance, the extension reflects a broader strategy within Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN to nurture young talent while maintaining a competitive balance with established performers. The organization aims to build a robust pipeline that blends fresh drivers with seasoned veterans, leveraging Zhou’s talent to unlock additional performance gains and contribute to the team’s long-term goals.
As the 2023 season approaches, the sports world watches closely how Zhou and the Alfa Romeo squad will translate training improvements and a deeper understanding of the car into meaningful results on race weekends. With the backing of a factory-backed operation and a clear path for development, Zhou’s continued presence on the grid is seen by many as a sign that the team is committed to a stable, growth-oriented period.
From the outset, Alfa Romeo’s decision to extend the deal signals confidence in Zhou’s ability to consistently extract performance, manage race pace, and contribute to a collaborative team environment. The drivers and engineers are expected to work together to refine the car’s balance and reliability across circuits, with Zhou playing a crucial role in gathering data and providing feedback that informs ongoing upgrades.