(Motorsports news) Zhou became the first full-time Chinese driver in Formula One history when he joined the team that was previously known as Alfa Romeo in 2022, but some people conjectured that he may have purchased his place rather than earned it. In response, he scored in his Bahraini debut and was awarded a one-year deal for 2023. Eventually, it was revealed that he had signed a new 12-month contract that would last until 2024.

Although accepting an option deal to allow teammate Valtteri Bottas to continue for the upcoming season was considered a formality, Zhou’s future with the Swiss club remained under doubt. Some conjectured that the reason for the delayed confirmation could have been a lack of funding. Zhou responded to the rumors by saying that “politics” was to fault for rumors spreading and that any delay was due to “final little details” in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com.

When asked if the claim that there wasn’t enough financial support was true, Zhou said, “It’s politics! “There were rumors that Sergio Perez might retire during the Mexico Grand Prix, but nothing materialized. There are rumors that Fernando Alonso will be switching seats to work for Red Bull. That is absurd. “I now have a better understanding of the media, which worries me, especially when there are other drivers around or when rumors are spread by the local media in that nation.

But you know what’s going on from the inside out. You have no trouble understanding them at all. Throughout the negotiations, Zhou insisted that staying with Sauber, where he was also considering the future of FIA F2 champion and junior driver Theo Pourchaire, was more important to him than looking to align with other F1 teams. Zhou said he could laugh off the queries about his future as they arose and added that, since he knows the rumors are untrue, he doesn’t “give a shit” about the commotion.

Zhou went on, “To be honest, I don’t give a shit about it! It’s similar to everything else insane I was given when I initially signed my contract. “I decided to just go with the flow, making sure to stay on topic and show my audience that I am here for a purpose. Since then, everything has been OK. “I’m just really laid back, but sometimes it’s kind of amusing to see some rumors because you know what’s going to happen—even after you signed the contract, there are still rumors that someone else is going to take your seat.

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