Regardless of Zhou being the primary full-time Chinese language F1 racer, there was hypothesis he doesn’t include main monetary banking to incentivise Alfa Romeo to agree new phrases.
Talking forward of the summer season break, Alfa Romeo F1 managing director Alessandro Alunni Bravi reckoned his squad needed to retain its line-up of Zhou and Valtteri Bottas – who moved from Mercedes for 2022 on a two-year deal, however with an choice to proceed for 2024.
However there may be competitors for the seat. FIA F2 champion and Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich – properly backed by sponsors – and Alfa protege Theo Pourchaire are in competition.
However, Zhou believes he’s near touchdown one other deal, ideally for a number of seasons.
He mentioned: “It is a little bit bit [more] delayed than I anticipated. However I feel it’s simply on account of me, along with Alfa Romeo, making an attempt to determine these last particulars.
“When it comes to, as an instance, ‘Why do not you signal?’ I nonetheless don’t have any reply to that. However we’re undoubtedly speaking extra into that and getting extra near being finished.
“I am joyful to be collectively, spending increasingly years along with this staff. The longer term is vivid for the place the staff is heading.”
Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo C43, Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo C43
Photograph by: Alfa Romeo
Zhou pushed again on rumours that he lacks money, saying: “I’ve private sponsors and I do not know the rumours, however I do not really feel I am missing any foundations on that facet.
“It is not like the primary contract you have got in System 1 – all the pieces’s as much as the staff. The second is a little more into particulars.
“Nothing to be frightened about majorly. I do not really feel like what I present on monitor would not need to proceed being on this paddock.”
Zhou added that his focus was on agreeing phrases together with his present staff amid its Audi takeover, relatively than chase different vacancies.
He mentioned: “On the minute [Alfa] is the precedence. There’s not a variety of seats that is obtainable. I am very eager on staying the place I’m.”
Elsewhere, there may be additionally a seat probably obtainable alongside Alex Albon at Williams with the staff but to announce the way forward for American rookie Logan Sargeant.
In the meantime, AlphaTauri has not formally tied down any drivers for 2024, that means certainly one of Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo will come onto the market.
Confirmed 2024 F1 grid (contracts):
Pink Bull: Max Verstappen (2028), Sergio Perez (2024)
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton (2025), George Russell (2025)
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc (2024), Carlos Sainz (2024)
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso (2024), Lance Stroll (rolling)
McLaren: Lando Norris (2025), Oscar Piastri (2024)
Alpine: Esteban Ocon (2024), Pierre Gasly (2024)
Williams: Alex Albon (2024), TBC
Haas: Nico Hulkenberg (2024), Kevin Magnussen (2024)
Alfa Romeo: Valtteri Bottas (2024), TBC
AlphaTauri: TBC, TBC