“It can never be the same”: Zhou Guanyu shares his take on China lagging behind Europe in F1 infrastructure [SK Exclusive]
Zhou Guanyu believes that Formula 1 only gained momentum in China after the debut of the Chinese Grand Prix in 2004. Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, the Stake F1 team driver shared his perspective that Asian countries need more teams, manufacturers, and representation in the sport to make a lasting impact.
The first Chinese GP was held in 2004, and since then, the Shanghai International Circuit has become a standout venue on the F1 calendar, known for its exciting races. However, Zhou Guanyu’s presence on the grid is expected to further elevate the 2024 Chinese GP, the first since 2019.
The Stake F1 driver has not only influenced fan turnout but also contributed to the rising popularity of the sport in the country. In an interview with Sportskeeda at the Sauber F1 team motorhome in Zandvoort, the 25-year-old driver expressed that despite two decades of F1 in China, Asia, except Japan, still lags behind Europe in motorsport culture and development.
Japan, which has hosted the Japanese Grand Prix since 1976, continues to produce F1 talent and boasts participation from leading automotive companies like Honda and Toyota. While countries such as Malaysia and Singapore have also hosted races, they haven’t developed homegrown F1 drivers.
Zhou Guanyu pointed out that although both India and China have large populations, they’ve collectively produced only a few drivers. He attributes this to the lack of motorsport infrastructure and culture, particularly in China, and noted that his presence on the F1 grid has already impacted the sport’s growth in the country. As China’s first F1 driver, his presence saw a total of 264,000 spectators at the 2024 race compared to the 160,000 at the 2019 Chinese GP.
When asked by Sportskeeda about the challenges faced by countries like India and China, with large populations but few F1 drivers, Zhou Guanyu said:
“I think it's a little bit always the culture, what, obviously I can't speak for Indian, but at least for my country. Motorsports only started 20 years ago. 2004 was the first Chinese Grand Prix hosted and the first time people experienced that and then it's been building up. But then the problem is that it's impossible to be that easy to have a driver representing the country until like three years ago, I stepped into this championship. But like obviously we are we don't have much of manufacturing involved or teams involved, so then it's really even more difficult pressure on the drivers. Because then they kind of need to figure out their way winning championship or titles after that in federal series to have a chance in Formula One. So I think the whole platform or the way how build up it started much later than European countries and cultures, that's why it can never be the same. And also for us it's extremely built up recent three years how the popularity.”
Further noting his impact on the Chinese GP in 2024, Zhou Guanyu said:
“If you look at the Chinese Grand Prix this year compared to 2019 as a build up different. So it just means how driver can really impact on athlete in any sports. But then obviously F1 is not like a sport that a driver just can be can be there for forever it's very you know unit seats and everyone is fighting for these. So i'm just hoping I can stay many more years and then that can improve at least for China and I think it's the same for any other country. Especially I think for Asian countries where motor sports is unpopular because obviously Japan is a different grade compared to where we are. So that's the fact and we have to accept it and just a long-term hopefully a switching around point.”
Zhou Guanyu believes F3 Asia and F4 China have impacted grassroots motorsport in Asia
Zhou Guanyu believes that the Formula 3 Asian Championship and F4 China have played a significant role in developing grassroots motorsport talent in Asia. He feels that while F4 China is a good stepping stone from karting, the F3 Asia series stands out as an important platform for nurturing young drivers.
Having won the F3 Asian title in 2021, Zhou noted how the series has grown from 15 drivers to nearly 40 on the grid. He believes this growth allows Asian drivers to measure their skills against European talent, as teams like Prema and Van Amersfoort Racing, both prominent in Europe, participate in the series. Zhou also emphasized how winter series like F3 Asia help young drivers maintain their racing momentum during the off-season.
When asked by Sportskeeda about the impact of series like F3 Asia and F4 China on Asian motorsport, Zhou Guanyu said:
“I think so. I think firstly I feel like F4—I don’t think they have F4 Asia, but they have F4 like China championship—every championship, but that impact I think is quite little. Just because F4 is kind of the very starting place, it’s good to have that so people can have their position set down as a kid to graduate from go karts. But then I think F3 Asia, honestly, I did it quite late but I think it was a really good championship. Because you don’t just have people from Asia, you know. You have Asian race teams and also some very good teams from Europe, like Prema and Van Amersfoort, who are winning multiple championships in other series.”
Explaining the benefits of the F3 Asian series for drivers, Zhou Guanyu stated:
“I think it’s really good to let a kid from Asia understand the benchmark of the drivers as well. Because these drivers are competing in the best championships at that stage of their careers. And for me to be there, I think it was great just to have a look. And I really felt it’s building up, you know. The first year in F3 Asia, there were 15 drivers, and now one race had 30, and it’s almost 40 now. The grid is so packed. And it’s a great winter exercise championship for all the drivers. You can see the difference in levels and the way to improve and go further.”
Zhou Guanyu clinched the F3 Asian Championship in a competitive grid featuring 26 drivers, including Red Bull junior drivers Ayumu Iwasa and Isack Hadjar, as well as Indian drivers like Jehan Daruvala and Kush Maini. He later progressed through the Formula 2 championship, where he finished third in the drivers’ standings, securing his role as Alpine’s reserve driver. Currently, as a driver for the Sauber F1 team, Zhou is battling to retain his seat ahead of the team’s transition to Audi in 2025.