Zhou Guanyu Embraces the Pressures of Formula 1 as He Looks to the Future

It can be said that Formula 1 is not for the faint of heart. With only 20 drivers making up the grid each year, the pressure is immensely high. 2022 marked the longest F1 season in history since the sport began in 1950, with 22 races taking place all over the world. Of course, with Formula 2 and junior drivers trailing not far behind, there’s also the added pressure of performing well in order to keep your seat.

For neophyte Zhou Guanyu, however, pressure is all part of the process. Like for most drivers, Formula 1 is more than a sport, and the 2022 newcomer joined the ranks and quickly began making a name for himself, scoring points in his debut race and making history as the first Chinese racer in the history of the motorsport.

The past season saw many highs and lows for the Chinese racer, from his eighth place finish and double team points in Montréal to flying upside down across the Silverstone track. With his rookie year now behind him, Zhou spoke to HYPEBEAST about his reflections on the past season, racing against his hero Fernando Alonso and what it means to represent his country.

In motorsports, you have to do well — you can’t just be there. You need to finish all the championships from Formula Two races to get the Formula One teams to have an interest in you.

What has your journey looked like so far to get to where you are today?

It’s not been the easiest one and I don’t think it’s ever going to be easy. Coming from China, the popularity of motorsports is not like other sports; we’re a bit behind on that. We don’t have any teams or manufacturers supporting us, but of course, I had a dream and I really wanted to achieve that. I love racing and I felt like I had the opportunity to maybe make it one day. We put in hours of hard work behind the scenes, and I’m very happy that I finally achieved my dream this year. To also be the first Chinese racer is something quite sensational, but it’s always going to be a tough journey.

You moved from China to Europe at a young age in order to further pursue your goal. What role did that play in your career?

I started in Shanghai and won everything that was possible out there, but I quickly realized that if I wanted to achieve my dream, I needed to go to Europe. It’s the home of motorsports, but it’s also where you have the toughest competition. I did a bit of carting there, then I started formula single-seater racing. It’s always against the toughest competitors out there, but that’s the only way to come through. In motorsports, you have to do well — you can’t just be there. You need to finish all the championships from Formula Two races to get the Formula One teams to have an interest in you.

What’s been a highlight for you in your first season?

I’d have to say Bahrain, just because not many people score in their debut season, let alone debut race. It’s always an unknown coming into Formula 1; I didn’t know what my performance would be like. I thought that I would score points with all the hard work I put in during winter, but I definitely didn’t expect it to be at the first Grand Prix. To get the first championship points for a Chinese driver as well was an honor.

There’s a lot of pressure involved in Formula 1, but it’s the way you balance, handle it and explore your absolute maximum out there.

Growing up in the motorsport world, you had role models that you looked up to who you’re now racing against — one of them being Fernando Alonso, who you watched and cheered on when you were five years old. Can you put into words what that feels like?

To be racing with Fernando Alonso now is quite crazy. Some may not have expected him to still be racing, but he’s stayed fit and concentrated. It’s great to have him and all the Formula 1 world champions, all the guys I looked up to like Lewis Hamilton… It’s crazy.

It’s a known fact that you’re quite interested in fashion. In a sport like F1 where you’re in uniform the majority of the time, how do you find ways to express yourself through style?

Formula 1 is a great platform, especially when you’re walking down to the track wearing your own clothes. I don’t have a stylist; I just pick what I like from my wardrobe. It’s great that people can see a different side of me, and I think people really appreciate what I’m doing. Of course, Lewis was the first one to do it, but now there’s more drivers doing the same thing.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your rookie year?

How to be myself, how to believe in myself and how to shine on track. There’s a lot of pressure involved in Formula 1, but it’s the way you balance, handle it and explore your absolute maximum out there.