Zhou reveals his secret ambitions for his future: ‘I’d like to stay here when Audi comes’

Zhou Guanyu is hoping for his first home race during the Grand Prix weekend in China. The driver from Shanghai points out that the weekend will be tough, due to the extra difficulty that the race format entails, but says he is looking forward to his home race. The Chinese driver also expresses his wishes for his Formula 1 future.

This weekend will be the first time in his career as a Formula 1 driver that Zhou will be allowed to race in his home country. The Chinese are volunteering Formula1.com column indicated that he was previously a fan of the Shanghai International Circuit, but now faces the challenge of racing on a brand new circuit. “We haven’t been here for five years, it almost feels like a new cycle, so it will be a challenge for all teams,” Zhou looks ahead.

In addition, a race weekend in China is also a race weekend, which means teams only have one free practice to test the cars. “It’s also the first F1 Sprint of the year and that will be exciting for the fans, but for us a lot of data will have to be analyzed quickly. F1 hasn’t been to Shanghai for five years and we only have one practice session to prepare the car for qualifying. I’ve never raced there , but I’ve driven a road car there, so hopefully that helps a little.”

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Despite the challenge that awaits the Chinese driver this weekend, Zhou says he is most looking forward to his home race. ‘It’s just a good cycle and a lot medium and bend quickly and there are good opportunities to pass. I don’t think the competition will be boring. I just hope I can get a good result and give the fans a good racing experience. It’s already going to be a memorable weekend for me, but getting the score will be something special. I’m just trying to get in better shape. As a team we will give everything.’

Zhou is happy to join the Audi project

Zhou also sheds some light on his ambitions for his future in motorsport. ‘It is difficult to predict what the future will bring. It is the season of ignorance it started very early this year and is keeping my manager very busy. I’m just doing my job on the track and staying focused on where I am now. Hopefully as a team we can have a few good weekends, solve the problems we’ve been working on and then I think we can be there and get a good result.”

However, the driver from Shanghai expresses a secret hope to join the Audi project in 2026. ‘I would like to stay here if the team becomes an Audi factory team. I see the project is growing. The team is getting bigger, the processes are improving and there are new ideas for development. But for now I will try to do my best on the track, fully focused on the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend and beyond, and hopefully we can continue on the field for many years to come.”