China’s first home race: Zhou-Mania in Shanghai / Formula 1

After 48 Grands Prix around the world, Zhou Guanyu can finally drive a home race in Formula 1 next weekend.

Formula 1 returns to China for the first time in five years. And one person is very happy: local hero Zhou Guanyu.

The Chinese is driving his third Formula 1 season – and now for the first time in front of a home crowd. The 24-year-old was born in Shanghai, but moved to England early to pursue his career. He is the first and so far only Chinese Formula 1 driver. And this weekend he goes to where it all started for him.

Expectations among his home audience are high. A good 200,000 spectators are expected on the route. It can be seen on social networks: Half of Shanghai is decorated with Zhou’s portrait. The capital city (about 26 million inhabitants) has large billboards depicting the Formula 1 driver who was born there. Billboards with his face greet you at airports, on trains and in shopping malls. There will even be a virtual AI avatar of the driver on the race track. A special display of racing helmets and suits as well as trophies celebrate his homecoming. Zhou Mania in China.

He has achieved what few would have believed he could do. Before his home race, Zhou recalls: “When I was competing in my first European championship, there was no national anthem and no flag on the podium after I won. They couldn’t imagine that one day there would be a Chinese rider, let alone a champion.”

He did it – and is the first Chinese in Formula 1. He told Racingnews365 about his first home race: “I think the first session on Friday will be a kick. It’s a very memorable place for me. As a child, the first event I attended was 2004 China Grand Prix.”

20 years later he is now driving a car where he was just watching…

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Bulls Racing, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round

outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0