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Formula One (F1)
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Australian Grand Prix: Chinese F1 driver Zhou Guanyu says ‘plenty to work on’ after ‘challenging week’ ahead of track debut

  • The 22-year-old Alfa Romeo driver fails to make it out of a ‘messy’ Q2, citing unfamiliarity with Albert Park tracks
  • ‘We’re still learning the tracks but overall I feel more comfortable and confident every time I step into the car,’ says Zhou

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Alfa Romeo racer Zhou Guanyu of China in a press conference at Formula One Australian Grand Prix practice event at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. Photo: AFP
Andrew McNicol

Chinese Formula One star Zhou Guanyu said he was caught “a little bit by surprise” by the Australian Grand Prix tracks this weekend but hopes to maintain what has been a dream debut season thus far.

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Racing at Melbourne’s Albert Park for the first time – F1 returns to Australia after three years – the 22-year-old Alfa Romeo driver failed to make it out of Q2, settling for P14 after final practice on Saturday.

Ferrari’s in-form Charles Leclerc leads the way, with reigning champion Max Verstappen lining up second and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez third on the grid for Sunday.

“I’m quite happy to be honest, because in qualifying we did struggle a bit with balance on my side,” Shanghai native Zhou said.

Alfa Romeo racer Zhou Guanyu of China in a practice event at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Australia. Photo: Reuters
Alfa Romeo racer Zhou Guanyu of China in a practice event at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Australia. Photo: Reuters

“When it mattered in Q1 I was able to put that lap in, but Q2 was very messy because firstly the traffic – everybody was pushing for that track position – and all of us stopped at the last corner which did not help.

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