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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

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

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.

Major events such as last year’s Beijing Winter Olympics have cast a spotlight on China’s human rights record, while athletes at the Games were free to express their opinions in press conferences and interviews, there were not allowed to do so in competition or medal ceremonies.

In Formula One, seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton has been one of the most outspoken on human rights and also called attention to the rights records of some of the countries that host races.

Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas, a former team mate of Hamilton at Mercedes, said the FIA move would “be a big talking point in Bahrain” ahead of the season opening race on March 5.

Zhou scored only six of his team’s 55 points last season but he expected to do much better this time, having learned all the tracks.

“Last year I think I lost 10 or more points due to the reliability issues,” he said. “In general I really felt happy with the progress I made.

“This year I don’t need to do anything different, it just comes automatically with the time you spend in Formula One and the learning experience. So everything will come, for sure we’ll be much closer.

“If we can have a very strong car then I’m sure both of us can do very strong points.”

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