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Formula One (F1)
SportFormula One (F1)

Formula One: Zhou Guanyu says Chinese Grand Prix return ‘a dream’, would ‘put my hand up’ for Hong Kong race

  • Alfa Romeo chief Frederic Vasseur is ‘really convinced’ that Shanghai race in 2023 ‘will be a mega, mega event’
  • Chinese rookie Zhou happy to see more races in Asia but says Hong Kong ‘not an easy one’ because ‘there’s not a lot of space to build a new circuit’

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Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu arrives for the first practice session ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale circuit in Monza. Photo: AFP
Nicolas Atkinin Singapore

Zhou Guanyu said last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix felt like a home race, but the Chinese rookie will experience one for real next season.

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The Shanghai Grand Prix is back on the race calendar for Formula One’s 2023 campaign, after a three-year absence owing to the pandemic, with China enforcing strict border entry rules and frequent citywide lockdowns.

Having this year made history as the first Chinese driver in F1, 23-year-old Zhou is already looking forward to it.

“To race at home as a Formula One driver is something you can only dream of,” he told the Post in Singapore. He crashed out early in Sunday’s chaotic race at Marina Bay Street Circuit, after what he called a “dangerous” move by Williams’ Nicholas Latifi, but still enjoyed a memorable week after being embraced by local fans.

“Of course my dream was Formula One, but if you have a grand prix that is local, that is great. Unfortunately the Chinese Grand Prix was not here this year to do that, but I’m so happy to see it’s back next year, so fingers crossed it will happen.

Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu in action during the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Photo: Xinhua
Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu in action during the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Photo: Xinhua

“It’s gonna be an amazing week for me, it will be a week I’ll never forget, [the pinnacle so far] except for Bahrain this year – my debut, when I won points.

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