Formula 1 is making a highly anticipated return to China after a five-year hiatus, with all eyes on China-born driver Zhou Guanyu. Despite his modest track record, Zhou has been elevated to celebrity status in China, starring in a new film as the first Chinese F1 driver and attracting significant sponsorship interest due to his Chinese heritage.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming race weekend in Shanghai, Zhou expressed his pride in representing China on the global F1 stage, emphasizing the historic significance of his participation.
While Zhou has yet to secure a race victory or podium finish in his F1 career, his presence as a hometown hero has captured the attention and support of fans across the country.
With the last Chinese Grand Prix taking place in 2019 and subsequent cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the upcoming race holds special significance for both Zhou and the local fans.
Amidst the buzz surrounding Zhou's participation, concerns have been raised by drivers about the sprint race scheduled for Saturday on a track that has not been raced on since 2019. The weekend's schedule includes practice on Friday, sprint qualifying, the sprint race on Saturday, and the main race on Sunday, all on a newly paved track.
Notably, tickets for the Chinese Grand Prix sold out rapidly, underscoring the growing interest in F1 in China. Zhou, who has been eagerly awaiting this moment for two decades, is excited to compete in front of his home crowd and hopes to approach the race weekend with a sense of normalcy.
Furthermore, a documentary titled 'The First One' chronicling Zhou's journey will be released by the Shanghai Media Group, aligning with efforts by the government to boost tourism and retain investments in the country post-pandemic.
China's foray into auto racing began in 2004 with the inaugural Shanghai Grand Prix, and the government has emphasized the importance of sports events in promoting cultural tourism and stimulating economic growth.
Zhou's involvement in the race serves as a symbol of China's openness to the global community and its commitment to showcasing its cultural heritage. By featuring details of Shanghai's landmarks on his race helmet, Zhou aims to inspire future generations to take an interest in the sport.
