Newcomer to the Formula One grid expresses gratitude: 'Helped me a lot'

The road to Formula One is long and difficult, but it also provides great opportunities. Guanyu Zhou will be driving his first season in Formula One next year, but he has already learned a lot from Fernando Alonso.

The junior programs are designed to help young talents. The drivers do not only receive financial support but are also trained and given time in the simulators. Moreover, they also get the chance to work with the best drivers.

Alfa Romeo driver Zhou noticed this when he was allowed to drive a free practice session for the first time during the Austrian Grand Prix. He was allowed to accompany Alpine on its walk around the track and received advice from world champion Alonso. "“Fernando [Alonso] helped me a lot. In the last three, four years, that is the most that I have ever been helped by another driver," Zhou told the official website of Formula 1.

The Chinese driver will be on the Formula 1 grid for the first time this year. For the past three years, he drove for UNI-Virtuosi Racing in Formula 2 where he scored 20 podium finishes, including five victories. In recent years he has proven that he is fast and talented, but the question is whether he can apply Alonso's advice.