Formula 1 | Zhou thinks he ‘shut a few mouths’ after Bahrain Grand Prix

It is not easy to arrive in Formula 1 with the label of « paying driver » and Guanyu Zhou, the first Chinese to start in the history of the sport, knows it well.

Many observers felt that the man who finished third in the last Formula 2 championship only owed his seat at Alfa Romeo to his financial backers, while others, such as Oscar Piastri, for example, did not necessarily have this luck despite a more impressive career in the promotion formulas.

But thanks to his fine race in Bahrain, which ended in 10th place and therefore in the points, Zhou believes he has silenced his detractors.

« I wouldn’t say that I was happy at the end of the race, but even more so I was very emotional, » Zhou explained. « I was focused on getting back in the peloton. I tried a maneuver every time I could and I think I made the right decisions every time. »

« My desire to do well gave me wings. When I saw my pace on my second and third stints, I said to myself that I could do a little more. To score a point was incredible. »

« When I signed my contract, some people weren’t happy to see me in Formula 1, » continued the Chinese. « But in my mind, I think I did everything to show that I deserved a seat in F1. This season, I want to close a few mouths and going up from 15th on the grid to 10th in the race, I was so relieved. »

« I think I gave the best answer possible. I didn’t want to respond with harsh words, just focus on my job. »