Zhou thanks Alfa Romeo and Bottas for second year in F1

Guanyu Zhou has extended his contract at Alfa Romeo until 2023. So the Chinese may stay in F1 for another year and is obviously extremely happy about it. Zhou very happy in F1 Zhou is enjoying a solid start to his Formula 1 career. At his first Grand Prix, he already picked up a point and in the subsequent races since then he has scored another five points. They are still not as many as his teammate Valtteri Bottas, but it is enough to convince the management that he deserves another year in the sport. ''I am happy and grateful to Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN for the opportunity to be part of the team for another season. Making it to Formula One was a dream come true and the feeling of competing for the first time in a race will live with me forever: the team has been incredibly supportive, welcoming me from day one and helping me adapt to the most complex series in motorsport. There is more that I want to achieve in this sport and with the team, and the hard work we have put together since the start of the year is just the first step towards where we want to be next season. There is still a lot to learn, a lot to develop but I am confident in our work: I am looking forward to the next chapter of our story together,'' Zhou is quoted as saying in the Alfa Romeo press release. Thanks to Bottas The Chinese also let Sky Sports know that the team was very happy with the driver's work and progress. ''It's been a tough and challenging year but I am enjoying my time here. F1 is my dream.'' Zhou is additionally very complimentary of his teammate. ''Valtteri has been amazing. He is one of the best teammates I have ever had in racing. Having so much experience and being open to the team, I am taking a lot of information from him. I have learned a lot from him during the season. He helped me massively, I am lucky to have him. Looking forward to having another year working together.'' The difference in experience is still evident between the two drivers in 2022, though. On Saturday, Zhou loses an average of 0.587s per qualifying session and the difference in points is also huge: 46 to 6. Zhou will therefore have to step up another gear in 2023 to stay active in the sport for longer. "I will be STAYING with the team for next year!" Zhou Guanyu will be staying with Alfa Romeo in 2023 pic.twitter.com/Vc8pp7CgrD — Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 27, 2022