F1: Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu has what it takes to succeed, says China veteran Ma Qinghua

Ma was the first Chinese driver to join Formula One and says the experience was ‘like nothing else on earth’

‘I am sure that is something [Zhou] knows well. I’ll be following him closely, just like everyone in China,’ says Ma

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Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu during F1 preseason testing in Bahrain. Photo: Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN/Formula 1

Published: 5:45pm, 15 Mar 2022

China’s most decorated driver Ma Qinghua was the first from the country to get behind the wheel of a Formula One car so he knows more than anyone the pressures Zhou Guanyu will be feeling in the lead-up to the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, as well as the sheer sense of excitement.

At just 22, Zhou is set to become the first full-time Chinese F1 driver when he suits up and he climbs into his Alfa Romeo this weekend, and Ma has urged his compatriot to back his own instinct and his own skills.

Ma, who is based in Shanghai and will be watching Zhou’s every move during the season, said driving at the highest level was “like nothing else on earth”.

Caterham Formula One reserve driver Ma Qinghua gets ready for the first practice session at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai in 2013. Photo: AP

“I having been using the experience I had in Formula One every day for the rest of my career, and one thing it taught me was that the learning never stops,” he said. “In motorsports you have to keep adapting to the different situations you find yourself in every day and I am sure that is something [Zhou] knows well.”

The connection between the pair goes right back to when the eight-year-old Zhou first climbed inside a go-kart – at a track in Shanghai was owned and operated at the time by Ma’s father.

“I remember when he first came into my father’s centre and we have been close to each other ever since,” Ma said. “I can remember early on teaching him how to break and things like that, and ever since we have been sharing our experiences and following each other’s careers.

“He showed he had talent even right at the beginning. I think it is great for him as he has the talent and it is great for motorsports in China that he has made it to Formula One and that motorsports in China will continue to grow after this.”