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Agence France-Presse

Zhou Guanyu succeeded where many others have failed by outpacing Formula One world champion Max Verstappen and admitted “it feels nice to see my name up there”.
The Chinese driver clocked a best time of 1 min 31.610 sec off 132 laps in his Alfa Romeo on the second day of preseason testing on the same Sakhir track that will stage the 2023 championship opener on March 5.
Zhou said while the team was aware it was just testing and “everyone is trying different settings” seeing his name and that of the team “up there in the timing sheets” was a good feeling.
“It’s been a positive day overall, we got more mileage in and went through all the targets and tasks we had set for ourselves, so I can say I am happy,” the 23-year-old said.
“The car felt reasonably good, both in daytime and night-time conditions, and I felt more confident pushing as the day progressed.”

It’s only testing but a nice way to end my pre season testing! ✌🏼 pic.twitter.com/0izGvAX5QC
— 周冠宇 | Zhou Guanyu 🇨🇳 (@ZhouGuanyu24) February 24, 2023

Zhou was 18th in the 2022 championship, his first season in the sport, scoring six points in total.
Teammate Valtteri Bottas, the vastly-experienced former Mercedes driver, was 10th with 49 points.
“Today was the final day of preseason testing for me, and I am very much looking forward to the start of the season next week. I feel ready and excited about the new campaign and I can’t wait to be racing again,” Zhou said.
Red Bull driver Verstappen, who was fastest on Thursday, was second behind Zhou in 1 min 31.650 sec off a modest 47 laps with fellow two-time world champion Fernando Alonso third in an Aston Martin with a best of 1 min 32.205 sec.
Rookie Nyck De Vries of AlphaTauri was fourth.
In 2022, Verstappen won 15 of 22 races, including nine of the last 11 as he swept to back-to-back world titles. His final points tally of 454 was comfortably 146 ahead of second-place Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.
“Every time I jumped in the car today, I felt comfortable,” said the Dutch star who will be seeking a third successive title in 2023. “We will see how quick we are next week, but I’m feeling positive.”
Carlos Sainz was the best of the Ferrari duo on Friday, coming home in sixth place while Leclerc was eighth.
The Mercedes of George Russell and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton were down in 13th and 15th spots respectively with their progress hampered by a hydraulic failure.
“It was a difficult morning,” Hamilton said. “The hot temperatures made it challenging with the tyres overheating, as we often see here in Bahrain.”


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Formula One (F1)

Formula One: China’s Zhou Guanyu edges out world champion Max Verstappen in Bahrain testing

China’s Zhou Guanyu
of Alfa Romeo in action during Formula One testing in Bahrain. Photo: DPA

Formula One: Zhou Guanyu ready to ‘push the limit’ in second season with Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu arrives for the drivers parade US Grand Prix in Austin on October 23, 2022. Photo: AFP

A photo provided by Alfa Romeo F1 shows the new C43 race car at the team headquarters in Hinwil. Photo: Alfa Romeo F1

Formula One: Australian Grand Prix to be ‘fastest ever’ after Melbourne street track gets fourth DRS zone

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc competes during a qualifying session at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. Photo: AFP

Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu takes part in the drivers’ parade ahead of the Melbourne Grand Prix in April 2022. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Motorsport

Zhou says ‘it feels nice’ to see his name and Alfa Romeo on top of the timing sheets
The 23-year-old looking forward to new season, with first race in Bahrain on March 5


China’s Zhou Guanyu finishes his final run of testing in Bahrain and says ‘it feels nice’ to see his name and Alfa Romeo on top of the timing sheets.


Bahrain

Max Verstappen

Formula One: China’s Zhou Guanyu edges out world champion Max Verstappen in Bahrain testing

Zhou says ‘it feels nice’ to see his name and Alfa Romeo on top of the timing sheets The 23-year-old looking forward to new season, with first race in Bahrain on March 5

Zhou says ‘it feels nice’ to see his name and Alfa Romeo on top of the timing sheets

The 23-year-old looking forward to new season, with first race in Bahrain on March 5