Photo Credits: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake
Xevi Pujolar, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s Head of trackside engineering has recently spoken of the performance of Zhou Guanyu and how he now feels that the Chinese racer is at a similar level to 10-time F1 Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas.
We are three races in and Zhou Guanyu’s performances have not gone unnoticed. Xevi Pujolar’s remarks were presented to select media in a virtual session after this month’s Australian Grand Prix.
“I think now we’ve got both drivers at a similar level and then one driver (or the one who is fast or slowest) it’s just the circumstances of the race,” said Pujolar.
The form of Zhou Guanyu being compared to Valtteri Bottas is encouraging for fans of the Chinese history maker. However, Pujolar was quick to highlight that race situations also play a major part.
“You know, in race one Valtteri was very strong and then in the last two races for the circumstances also from the qualifying and then where they were – where they were fighting – it looked like Zhou is strong. But then I would say that both are at the same level,” stated Pujolar.
Zhou Guanyu got off the mark scoring points at the Australian Grand Prix after crossing the finish line in P9. Recent remarks saw Xevi Pujolar praise the mindset currently shown by the Chinese racer.
“He’s more confident,” Pujolar said. “And then working with Valtteri as well and that’s how we can [make steps] with both drivers together. And it gives himself confidence as well.”
Alfa Romeo are currently P8 in the F1 Constructors’ Championship this season. The battle is so tight with Haas F1 Team just a single point ahead in P7 while Alpine currently hold P6 with 8 points. It’s apparent that there are three or four teams clearly ahead of the rest of the pack – in a season expected to be dominated by Red Bull Racing. Beyond that though, come a race weekend, it is anyone’s guess who will claim the last few points. An aim very much on Pujolar’s mind as he has said:
“Everybody can be grabbing these final points finishes, which is the target. We’re not too far away from this. So it’s just the little details that can really make the difference in the midfield.”
The current F1 break is as a result of the cancellation of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix. Chinese driver Zhou Gunayu is again prevented from driving in front of his home crowd. However, based on the current form of Zhou Guanyu and the praise he is receiving, should this continue, it can be assumed that he will still be a part of the F1 grid in 2024. hopefully then, the popular Chinese racer will finally be able to race in front of his home crowd – at his home race.
