Zhou Guanyu shone in the Qatar GP, securing his first points of the season with a determined drive to eighth place.
His performance, which also earned him the Driver of the Day award, was a vital moment for both the Chinese driver and the Sauber F1 team as they bagged their first points of 2024.
Zhou’s skills were on full display as he navigated a chaotic race filled with safety cars and midfield battles.
Bad start
A terrible opening lap saw him lose three spots to his teammate and the RBs, dropping back him to P15. It could have been P17 until Lance Stroll took Alex Albon out at turn 4.
“I had a chaotic lap one, so I lost the gear sync before the start-finish, like lost two positions on the straight, and then Stroll divebombed me again.
“So I said to the team I will make up for it, and then yeah, we did.”
Surviving on the hards
Lawson clouting into the side of Bottas gained him two positions on the first Safety Car restart, and he overtook Yuki Tsunoda on track for P12.
After the second Safety Car period following punctures for Sainz and Hamilton, the Chinese driver moved up to P8.
Although he lost out to the Spaniard, Norris’ penalty meant he regained that spot, showing strong pace until the end to fend off Magnussen.
“So intense race, like some very important moments to overtake some people. And then also in the end, it’s the last safety race that I think what Fernando did was the best way in terms of putting the medium tyre.
“But for us, we had to suffer because we’re losing the best chance to score some points.
“It was not easy with Kevin behind, Alex on the soft, but pace was strong, just really happy.
“It’s a big relief like I said, we knew we had the best chances this weekend throughout the season, and we grabbed it.”
Breaking through in a tough season
Zhou acknowledged the importance of this result, particularly after a mentally taxing season.
“You know, people always remember your last few races, you know, it doesn’t matter if I score points in my debut or not,” he explained.
“I think if you left Formula One in the back, then it’s not good for your future to come back. So I think these two weekends I was able to show myself as a relief after a mentally draining season and then happy for the team to score some points.
“And then for myself, it’s the best way to, let’s say, put a message for the paddock and then hopefully I get another chance not next season but the season after.”
A message to the paddock
Zhou Guanyu saw his Qatar GP performance as more than just points – it was a statement of his capabilities, even if it’s too late for the 2025 F1 season.
“Yeah, statement being made now waiting for a chance so and looking forward to one last race for the team and then the next chapter.
“Yeah, my engineer, he didn’t tell me [about driver of the day].
“Maybe he’s too busy celebrating but yeah, I got told afterwards. One race I didn’t expect was here, you know.
“I was thinking maybe in Shanghai I’d get Driver of the Day, but I didn’t. A bit disappointing, but at least, I think it’s well-deserved, and thanks for the fans voting for that.
“It’s been just a great full weekend, and I’m just really happy, enjoyable.
“And, like I said, looking forward to the one last race for them and then, everything is just in a much better place for myself and then let’s see what the future brings.”
Reflecting on missed opportunities
Zhou admitted that scoring points earlier could have made a significant difference to his career trajectory.
Rumours are abound he will join Ferrari as a reserve driver, although that is not official as of yet.
“Yeah, I probably had a better chance, you know, staying on the grid next year, but I don’t take it as a disappointment. I think I take it as just how sometimes life goes but in another way, also it’s been a relief.
“Mentally, it’s been just so draining this season. For me, it’s actually a good way, taking one year off, just be waiting for a chance hopefully next year but then if not, the year after trying to get a seat.
“So I’m waiting for this and I think the most important is that I’m active from the last few races in the best way I could which I think I was able to show, and I’m grateful for that.”
A better car, finally
Zhou Guanyu credited the improved performance of Sauber’s car at the Qatar GP as a factor in his success.
When asked about how different the car felt since the latest updates got introduced on the C44, he said, “It’s night and day.
“It’s not just the package, it’s been really extremely different, but also I think it’s been the first time this season we had both cars having this new package at the same race.
“Normally, I’m like a few races later and then once I had that, all the other teams already had the next step, so I was always behind doing the catch-up.
“And then now I’m able to just put myself in the way I could, I wanted, feel comfortable with the car pushing around, Vegas, low speed, here high speed, intense weather condition, wind, and everything seems to be working better.
“So yeah, I guess the car will be a lot better next season, but I try to enjoy it and that’s all I’m here for.”
