Formula 1: Zhou Guanyu forced to retire from Azerbaijan Grand Prix as difficult rookie year continues in Baku
- Another grand prix ends early for China’s first F1 driver, who has now been forced out of three races in his Alfa Romeo
- Victory for Max Verstappen sees Red Bull take first and second on the Baku podium
Zhou became the third retirement after Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, on lap 24, because of what his team described as a technical issue.
“Are you kidding me? Again?” Zhou was heard saying over his team radio.
A statement from Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen said Zhou had been running “a brilliant race” before he was forced to withdraw. This was Zhou’s third retirement in four races, and extends a run of bad luck that has plagued the driver since making the jump from F2.
World champion Max Verstappen led a Red Bull one-two ahead of teammate Sergio Perez in a potentially key moment of the title race after Leclerc and Ferrari endured another dose of race day misery. Having started fifth, Mercedes driver George Russell secured the final podium place.