Sauber expects “extra love” for Zhou’s home race / Formula 1

For home viewers, no matter how the race turns out, it will undoubtedly be a historic Grand Prix: The Shanghai race at the weekend is the first home Grand Prix for a Chinese driver. After four years of interruption by Corona, Formula 1 has returned to China – with Chinese Zhou Guanyu, who competes in Sauber in front of his home crowd for the first time.

Teammate Valtteri Bottas says: “With Zhou, who will drive the first ever home Grand Prix for a Chinese driver here, we will definitely feel the extra love and extra support from the fans, which will make the return special.”

Zhou himself: “I couldn’t be happier to finally be racing on home soil in Shanghai. Being the first Chinese driver ever to compete in Formula 1 in China means a lot to me. It fills me with great joy, pride and responsibility.”

Shanghai-born Formula 1 driver: “For me it’s not just a race: after a four-year break, the championship is back, and with a Chinese driver on the grid we will make history. It’s an opportunity to inspire future generations and pave the way for them to be interested in sports.”

The joy of seeing their Chinese driver was great. The city is in Formula 1 fever. And the track is getting crowded!

Zhou: «We saw the enthusiasm waiting for us there when the tickets went on sale and sold out within a few hours. My country loves racing and has been waiting for this moment for years.”

After a four-year Corona break, China is back on the calendar for the first time since 2019. Things can only go up for Sauber in the race. The team is last with no points and has recently had to struggle with failed stops. In Japan it seemed as if the problem was slowly being brought under control. Now the Swiss team, which will be Audi from 2026, hopes to be able to break away from the group of three teams without points at the end of the team classification.

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