Chinese · Shanghai, China · Born 30 May 1999Chinese Formula 1 driver who became the first Chinese driver to compete in F1, racing for Alfa Romeo Sauber from 2022-2024 before joining Kick Sauber.
Zhou Guanyu was born on 30 May 1999 in Shanghai, China, and began kart racing at eight before moving to Sheffield, England, in 2012 to compete internationally. He progressed steadily through Europe's junior single-seater categories, winning the Asian Formula 3 championship in 2021 and earning both the Anthoine Hubert Award and Autosport Rookie of the Year recognition. Zhou made history in 2022 by becoming the first Chinese driver ever to compete in Formula One, joining Alfa Romeo and immediately surviving a dramatic first-lap crash at that year's British Grand Prix, in which his car flipped and skidded upside down along the gravel trap before coming to rest against the catch fencing — he walked away unharmed. Zhou spent three seasons in Formula One with Alfa Romeo and its successor, Sauber, scoring his best result of sixth place at the 2024 US Grand Prix, before losing his seat at the end of that season as the grid became increasingly competitive for places. Zhou has continued to serve as a reserve driver for the Cadillac team, remaining the only Chinese driver ever to have competed in Formula One and a significant figure in the sport's efforts to grow its audience in China.
First Chinese Formula 1 driver
How They Played
Consistent and calculated driving approach with strong racecraft abilities
Lasting Impact
Pioneering Chinese representation in Formula 1 and opening the sport to Chinese audiences
Career Honours
- Formula 2 Championship Runner-Up 2021
- Formula 2 Feature Race Winner 2021 (Jeddah)
- Formula 2 Feature Race Winner 2021 (Monaco)
- Formula 2 Feature Race Winner 2021 (Monza)
- Formula 2 Sprint Race Winner 2021 (Silverstone)
- Asian Formula 3 Champion 2019
- Formula Renault Eurocup Runner-Up 2018
- FIA Formula 2 Rookie of the Year 2021
- Points Scorer on Formula 1 Debut 2022 (Bahrain Grand Prix, first Chinese driver to score F1 points)
- Formula 1 Driver for Alfa Romeo 2022–2023
- Formula 1 Driver for Sauber 2024
| Constructor | Season(s) | Races |
|---|---|---|
| Prema Powerteam (Italian F4) | 2015 | — |
| Motopark (FIA F3 European Championship) | 2016 | — |
| Prema Theodore Racing (FIA F3 European Championship) | 2017–2018 | — |
| UNI-Virtuosi Racing (FIA Formula 2) | 2019–2021 | — |
| Abu Dhabi Racing by Prema (F3 Asian Championship) | 2021 | — |
| Alfa Romeo F1 Team | 2022–2024 | — |
| Alfa Romeo F1 Team / Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber | 2022–2024 | 68 |
| Scuderia Ferrari (Reserve Driver) | 2025 | — |
| Cadillac F1 (Reserve Driver) | 2026 | — |
| Career Total | — | 68 |
Chinese Athletes