Guanyu Zhou replaces Giovinazzi at Alfa Romeo for 2022

Published on 16 November 2021 by Stefan Meens

Alfa Romeo has confirmed that Guanyu Zhou will partner Valtteri Bottas at the team in 2022. As he takes the last available seat on the grid, Zhou is the first Chinese driver in Formula 1.

“I dreamt from a young age of climbing as high as I can in a sport that I am passionate about and now the dream has come true,” he said in a team statement. It is a privilege for me to start my F1 career with an iconic team, a team that has introduced so much young talent into F1 in the past", said Zhou.

“Now the dream is reality. I feel well prepared for the immense challenge of F1, the pinnacle of my sport, alongside a proven, world-class talent in Valtteri Bottas. Next year the target will be to learn as much as possible and as quickly as possible. To be the first ever Chinese driver in F1 is a breakthrough for Chinese motorsport history. I know a lot of hopes will be resting on me and, as ever, I will take this as motivation to become better and achieve more", concluded Zhou, who is currently third in the Formula 2 championship with three wins to his name this season.

Meanwhile, outgoing Antonio Giovinazzi announced he will contest next year's Formula E season with Dragon Penske, drawing a close a Formula 1 career that comprised of three full seasons (2019-22) and two races in 2017.