'Zhou looking for multi-year contract. Pourchaire stands in the way'

Guanyu Zhou has been rumoured to join Alfa Romeo by a number of sources. The Chinese driver only seems to be putting his foot down about a multi-year contract. Alfa Romeo does not want to, because they also have Theo Pourchaire in reserve.

The Portuguese branch of Motorsport.com knows that there are sources reporting that it is almost certain that the current number two in F2 will sign for the seat next to Valtteri Bottas. Team boss Frédéric Vasseur stresses that no decision has been made yet.

Zhou would like a multi-year contract but is not in a position to enforce it as Alfa Romeo are also considering putting their own junior in the seat in 2022. F2 driver Theo Pourchaire is currently 17 years old and a member of Sauber Academy.

The Alfa boss puts the choice between the two F2 drivers into perspective for himself: "They now return to the more traditional circuits in the championship. At the tracks where the young drivers have more experience. We will see in two or three races how it evolves."

Vasseur states that, in any case, a decision will not be made until after the race in Sochi. That means Nyck de Vries has not been ruled out yet either. But the chances for the Dutchman seem to shrink by the day. There is no mention of De Vries joining the team.