Guanyu Zhou, a promising young Chinese driver, is getting a development role with the F1 outfit and becoming a member of the Renault Sport Academy for 2019. The 19-year-old was born in Shanghai and he’s based in London.
This promising young Chinese driver has been competing in the FIA European F3 Championship for the past three years and he has clinched two wins – at Pau and Hockenheim.
At the end of 2018, Guanyu Zhou parted ways with the Ferrari Driver Academy. It seems like he has wasted no time, but managed to secure a place in the Academy for the upcoming season.
Guanyu Zhou finished eighth in the European Formula 3 championship for a second successive year but parted ways with the ScuderiaScuderia. Now, he is preparing his debut season in Formula 2 where he’ll race for the UNI-Virtuosi squad. This young driver will combine his F2 duties with a Development Driver role at Renault with the Enstone-based squad. His role in 2019 will be participating in engineering briefings and drive the team’s simulator.
“It’s a huge honour to join Renault Sport Racing as an Academy member and the Formula 1 Team’s Development Driver and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.
“Renault has big ambitions – both for the Formula 1 team and the Academy – and that’s something which motivates me.
“I know the significance of Renault in China, so I’m especially proud to represent both Renault, as a brand, and China in the racing world. Formula 2 is the next step in my career. It looks to be a competitive field of drivers and there is going to be a lot to learn in a short space of time.
“I’ve been working hard during the winter and the three-days Formula 2 testing in Abu Dhabi was hugely beneficial. I’m looking forward to drawing on Renault’s help and advice this season as I aim for success and trophies.”
Mia Sharizman, the Renault Sport Academy Director said that there are very excited to be having and reveal Guanyu as a Renault Sport Academy member and the team’s Formula 1 Development Driver for this year. The Renault Sport Academy has been monitoring Guanyu for some time and noticed his ability as an excellent driver. They have noticed how talented and hardworking Guanyu is and will try to develop him even more for this season in the Formula 2 Championship.
Guanyu Zhou is the first Chinese driver to occupy a Formula 1 role with a manufacturer team.
