(Motorsport) Zhou Guanyu, Formula 1’s first Chinese driver in history has extended his contract with Alfa Romeo until the end of the 2023 season. His renewal means that there are now only three seats available on the F1 grid – at Alpine, Haas and Williams. Guanyu will hope that he will build on his performances from his impressive rookie season and remain in Formula 1 beyond his existing contract which is valid until 2023. In qualifying head-to-heads, Guanyu is 11-6 down to current teammate and former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas with six points to his name compared to Bottas’ 46. 

Speaking at his contract renewal, Guanyu said “I think the team is very satisfied with everything I was able to do and I'm happy with the job I was able to do this season. Looking forward to having many more to come together. We have to see where my performance is, it's a little bit similar to this year," he said. "It's normal, but also a bit of pressure. I like to have pressure, you can't take time off to be relaxed. I'm always trying to push myself, and I think like this year and I'm able to do the job, why not have more [years] in the future.

“Making it to F1 was a dream come true and the feeling of competing for the first time in a race will live with me forever. The team has been incredibly supportive, welcoming me from day one and helping me adapt to the most complex series in motorsport. There is more that I want to achieve in this sport and with the team, and the hard work we have put together since the start of the year is just the first step towards where we want to be next season. There is still a lot to learn, a lot to develop but I am confident in our work: I am looking forward to the next chapter of our story together."

Alfa Romeo team boss Fred Vasseur said “I am looking forward to continuing working with Zhou. From day one with the team, at the Abu Dhabi test last year, he has impressed me with his approach to work and this is always a very positive trait. We knew he was quick, but the way he adapted to F1 in such a short time has been one of the best surprises of our season. He is a very nice guy, everyone in the team likes both his personality and attitude. He has had the humility to ask questions and learn from the engineers as well as Valtteri [Bottas], and the intelligence to apply all the information he got to improve race after race. He will have this experience to draw on next season, and I am sure he will make another step forward as we continue to grow our team." 

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