Zhou enjoyed winter break: 'I hadn't been home for two years'

Guanyu Zhou is at the start of his second season in Formula 1. He did not disappoint in his rookie season and was thus rewarded with a contract extension. The Chinese driver feels ready for battle "more than ever", he said during Alfa Romeo's C43 launch.

For Zhou, the winter break was all about seeing his family and friends again. "I hadn't been back home for two years, seeing family and friends was a nice time. I feel more ready than ever. Coming back here, I was able to be training hard and put more effort in. Now it's time to work," the Alfa Romeo driver said. 

Zhou feels more comfortable at Alfa Romeo

In his first year, it took Zhou a while to feel fully at ease because everything was new to him. "I was super nervous, now I feel more understanding with the team. Arriving into the [shakedown] in Barcelona and then the Bahrain test, I will feel a bit more comfortable knowing what's coming," he continued.

In 2022, Zhou was part of a successful year for Alfa Romeo, which secured sixth position in the final standings. The driver, together with teammate Valtteri Bottas, hopes to continue that line with the new C43. "Overall, I am satisfied with what we have done, but we have to keep working hard to take another step. I am sure we can make it work," Zhou said.