“Best way to send a message”: Zhou Guanyu happy with Qatar GP points amid ‘mentally draining season’
Zhou Guanyu expressed satisfaction with his Qatar GP performance, marking a high point in an otherwise difficult 2024 season with Sauber. Speaking to the media, including Sportskeeda, after the race, the Chinese driver highlighted the importance of his points-scoring result, which brought some much-needed positivity to his campaign and Sauber’s season overall.
Throughout the year, Zhou faced challenges against his more experienced teammate, Valtteri Bottas, in a season where Sauber struggled to find form. Being the one to break their points drought is a significant boost to Zhou’s reputation as he prepares to exit the team, which will be taken over by Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg in 2025. His performance in Qatar helps keep him on the radar for future opportunities in the sport.
Reflecting on the result, Zhou Guanyu described it as a relief and a satisfying way to cap off a mentally exhausting season. Scoring Sauber’s first four points of the year, he emphasized the importance of the result not just for the team, but also for his personal aspirations. He views it as a statement to the paddock, showcasing his potential before his departure.
Looking forward to the Abu Dhabi GP, he is eager to deliver another strong performance to further solidify his case for a future return, whether in 2026 or sooner. Zhou Guanyu said:
“Yeah, you know people always remember your last few races you know; doesn't matter if I score points in debut or not. I think if you're left Formula 1 in the back expectation then it's not good for your future (when you're hoping) to come back. So I think these two weekends, I was able to show myself as a relief after a mentally draining season and then happy for the team to score some points. And then for myself even, you know, it's the best way to, let's say, put a message for the paddock and then hopefully I get another chance not next season but it's the season after, (so) let's see.”
Asked if his performance was a statement, he replied:
“Yes, statement being made. Now waiting for a chance so and looking forward to one last race for the team and then the next chapter.”
Zhou Guanyu reckons the Qatar GP was a difficult and intense race
Zhou Guanyu described the 2024 Qatar GP as an intense and chaotic race, particularly with the drama of the opening lap and multiple safety car restarts. The Chinese driver admitted there was a moment when he feared losing a points finish, especially when Lance Stroll attempted to leapfrog him. Holding off the challenges from Kevin Magnussen’s Haas and Alex Albon’s Williams, both on quicker soft tires, was no easy task.
Zhou emphasized that securing a points finish required precision, focus, and being in the right place at the right time to capitalize on the opportunities in what he called a challenging and eventful race. Asked if at any point he thought he would lose the points finish, Zhou Guanyu replied:
“I did, you know. I had a chaos lap one, so I lost the gear stick before the start-finishing line, like lost two positions on the straight and then Stroll dive bombed me again. So I said to the team, ‘I will make up for it,’ and then, yeah, we did. So intense race, like some very important moments to overtake some people and then also in the end you know it's the last safety car restart. I think what Fernando did was the best way in terms of putting the medium tire. But for us we have to suffer it because it was in the best chance to score some points. So it was not easy with Kevin behind, Alex on the soft. But pace was strong you know just really happy, it's been a relief and like I said we knew we had the best chance this weekend can't throughout the season and we grabbed it.”
Sauber has scored a total of four points this season, all contributed by Zhou Guanyu. Throughout the 2024 campaign, the Hinwil-based team struggled to produce a car capable of competing in the midfield.
With this being their final season under the Sauber name before rebranding as Audi next year, the team remains at the bottom of the constructors’ championship. However, a strong performance in the Abu Dhabi GP could enhance the employment prospects of both drivers for 2026, as they aim to leave a lasting impression before departing the grid.