Formula One: China’s Zhou Guanyu can dream of racing in front of own fans with Shanghai grand prix to return in 2024

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Zhou Guanyu has yet to race in F1 in front of his home fans in China. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:48am, 6 Jul 2023Updated: 2:32pm, 6 Jul 2023

Zhou Guanyu’s hopes of racing in front of a home crowd in China have been revived after the Shanghai grand prix was given a slot in next year’s Formula One calendar.

Motor racing bosses on Wednesday announced a 24-race schedule for the 2024 season that included China, raising the prospect of Zhou – his country’s first fully fledged F1 driver – racing at home.

The 24-year-old had been hoping to do so this year, telling the Post last October that “to race at home as a Formula One driver is something you can only dream of”, after Shanghai was given a slot for 2023 following a three-year absence.

However, the city was later removed from the schedule because the country’s strict pandemic restrictions remained in place.

Zhou Guanyu is in his second season in Formula One with the Alfa Romeo team. Photo: AFP

Now the Alfa Romeo driver should finally get his chance, if he is retained for what would be his third season in F1.