Official: Guanyu Zhou will drive in F1 for Alfa Romeo in 2022
After the official announcement of the end of the contract of Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo finally announces the arrival of Chinese driver Guanyu Zhou. The 2022 grid is now complete.
It’s official, Alfa Romeo has confirmed its two drivers for 2022 in the persons of Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou.
After publishing a press release announcing the end of the relationship with Antonio Giovinazzi, the Swiss-Italian team announces the arrival of the young Chinese driver after two seasons in Formula 2 and several wins.
Zhou is the first Chinese driver in the history of Formula 1, aged 22. The Chinese driver is said to have signed a one-year contract.
Currently 2nd in the F2 standings, he will fight for the title in the last two rounds in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.
Alfa Romeo therefore sees its driver duo completely renewed and thus separates from Kimi Räikkönen, who is retiring, as well as Antonio Giovinazzi – without a seat next year.
Frédéric Vasseur, the team director, joyfully welcomes the arrival of the Chinese driver: “It’s a pleasure to welcome him to the team. He’s a talented driver, as shown by his results in Formula 2, and we look forward to helping him develop and progress in Formula 1.”
« We are proud of our driver duo for this 2022 season and we are confident in their complementarity and skills.
Zhou is also delighted with this appointment: « I have dreamed since a very young age of being able to access this sport which I am passionate about and now my dream is coming true.
I am starting my career in Formula 1 with a team that has launched so many young talents and is so iconic in this sport. I feel well prepared and even more motivated as all Chinese eyes will be on me during this 2022 season.
Rumors of this announcement were common in recent days as an Alfa Romeo garage in China had redecorated its facade with a photo of the Chinese driver.
Zhou was then a driver for the Alpine Academy.
Breaking news! 🗞️ @gyzhou_33 completes our line-up for 2022! 👏
Check the full story 📲 https://t.co/WEr8lhNFEV#AlfaRomeoRacing #ORLEN #TeamZhou pic.twitter.com/nSvZZjNyG8
— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) November 16, 2021
