Zhou Guanyu from China on his tough journey into Formula 1

Drives consistently and hardly has any accidents: the Chinese Zhou Guanyu Image: Picture Alliance

Zhou Guanyu is the first Chinese Formula 1 driver. Behind his career are the fascination for Fernando Alonso, long years abroad – and his powerful mother.

The radio message lasts less than two seconds. “Zhou,” the engineer’s voice murmurs in his ear, “the man in front of you is Alonso.” Zhou realizes that he has won. This bet cost him 18 years, many millions more. The odds were lousy. “My chance of making it into Formula 1 was maybe one percent,” Zhou Guanyu, pronounced Joe Guanjü, tells the FAS in retrospect.

Jochen Stahnke

Political correspondent for China, Taiwan and North Korea based in Beijing.

In his first race in March 2022, he races across the Bahrain desert circuit at speeds of over 300 km/h and chases Fernando Alonso. As a child he cheered for the two-time world champion; the Spaniard was his hero. For billions of compatriots, he is now one himself. Zhou is the first Chinese Grand Prix driver. He gave his childhood for this. Left his homeland. “It was a hard road,” he says. All because of Alonso.