Zhou reveals his favorite F1 driver: 'He was my idol'

Guanyu Zhou is the first Chinese driver on the Formula 1 grid and the only rookie of 2022, thus already pretty much securing the 'Rookie of the Year' award. In conversation with AS.com he reveals which driver he has regarded as his great role model since childhood.

Zhou on his childhood idol

On the question of who he saw as his great example in his youth, he does not have to think long. "Fernando Alonso," he answers without hesitation. He explains that there were many Ferrari and Michael Schumacher fans in China, but that he actually admired Alonso's driving style.

During his time at the Renault academy, Alonso became a kind of teacher for Zhou. An almost surreal experience for the young driver, who suddenly found himself face to face with his childhood idol. "That was a very special moment for me. It's hard to imagine meeting with Fernando or driving his car," he says.

The fact that he is now driving alongside Alonso in the premier class of motorsport makes it even more special for the Alfa Romeo driver, who is now used to the idea. "We are rivals, although off the track we get along very well," he says.