Formula One: China’s Zhou Guanyu critical of freedom of speech move in sport, says FIA got driver statement stance wrong

Zhou says FIA got it wrong over rules regarding ‘political, religious and personal statements or comments’ at races

Alfa Romeo teammate Valtteri Bottas says subject will be big talking point at first race in Bahrain on March 5

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Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu arrives at the Yas Marina Circuit ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, last season’s final race. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:14am, 8 Feb 2023

China’s only Formula One driver Zhou Guanyu has added his voice to the sport’s freedom of speech controversy, saying drivers have the right “to say what we want”.

The FIA, the sport’s governing body, updated is rules last December to force drivers to get written permission before they can make or display “political, religious and personal statements or comments” at races.

While saying he was “not too much into politics”, Zhou said he did not think the FIA approach was “the right way to do it”.

“We are human so we can say the stuff we want to, but we are not against anyone,” Zhou told Reuters at the launch of Alfa Romeo’s 2023 livery .

“We are just saying the truth or trying to be the real person inside and out, so I think we should have the right to say what we want.”

HANDOUT - 07 February 2023, Switzerland, Hinwil: A photo provided by Alfa Romeo F1 showing the new C43 race car at the team headquarters in Hinwil. Photo: -/Alfa Romeo F1 via PA Media/dpa - ATTENTION: editorial use only and only if the credit mentioned above is referenced in full

Zhou has yet to race in his home grand prix, with China’s round in Shanghai cancelled again this year for a fourth season in a row because of local Covid-19 measures.