Zhou finally scores the points he deserves
After a really promising start to the season but filled with bad luck, Guanyu Zhou was finally able to score points. These are his first points since the first Grand Prix of the season in Bahrain.
For his first Formula 1 Grand Prix, in Bahrain last March, Guanyu Zhou instantly scored his first point in the top category. Since then, his tally had been stuck at that single unit and the Chinese driver had struggled with seven races outside of the top 10. Among these seven races, there were notably three mechanical retirements and two eleventh-place finishes.
This weekend in Montreal, Zhou discovered a new track. Under the rainy conditions of the qualifying session, he managed to take his Alfa Romeo to Q3 while his teammate Valtteri Bottas was eliminated in Q2. The Chinese driver started 10th on Sunday and once again had good chances of scoring points.
And after many well-executed races but without any points, Zhou was finally rewarded. He finishes 8th at the finish line and scores 4 well-deserved points, just behind his teammate Valtteri Bottas who finishes 7th. The Finnish driver was greatly assisted by the safety car towards the end of the race.
“I am happy to see the checkered flag first because there was frustration before this weekend,” says the driver with number 24. “This weekend was a new track, we arrived without knowing what was going to happen but I am just so happy with the team’s performance. Saturday was good, today we finally have both cars in the points after Bahrain, so we have good momentum for the upcoming races.”
After the pressure of discovery, Zhou indicates that he now enjoys each Grand Prix more. He also emphasizes the support he received this weekend in Montreal.
I think that since Imola, I have enjoyed the atmosphere here in the paddock. Everything seems more familiar to me, so I appreciate each weekend. Every Grand Prix is a special moment, especially here in Montreal. We have seen many Chinese flags in the stands and supporters from all over the world, so I am just super happy to finally give them some points. I also think that everyone will be proud of me when I go back home.
While at the beginning of the season many criticized him, Guanyu Zhou is showing a perfect adaptation to Formula 1. For several Grand Prix races, the Chinese driver deserved to score points but was always hindered by reliability issues. It’s now done, the Canadian Grand Prix could kickstart a great streak for the Alfa Romeo driver.
“It’s only the start of this journey” P8! 🤪🤪 #CanadianGP #TeamZHOUalfaalf pic.twitter.com/G5MD0Ay2OI
— 周冠宇 | Zhou Guanyu 🇨🇳 (@ZhouGuanyu24) June 19, 2022
