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Chants of “Guanyu, Guanyu, Guanyu” drowned out all other sounds at the Shanghai International Circuit yesterday as Zhou Guanyu, China’s first and only Formula 1 driver, took to the grid ahead of his first Chinese Grand Prix.

Sauber’s Zhou, racing in his hometown in the first Chinese Grand Prix since 2019, had failed to score a point in the first four races of the season, but that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the estimated 60,000 fans who came every day.

“It’s really hard. You try to concentrate on your work, on what’s going on while driving, but then with them all shouting and cheering for you – I’m so grateful,” said Zhou after finishing the race as 14th had ended. place and outside the points in the race won by three-time world champion Max Verstappen.

Before taking the start line in Shanghai, the 24-year-old described how he had watched the race from the first corner in 2004, dreaming of becoming an F1 driver in the future.

“It’s such an emotional journey these twenty years. It reflects so quickly in your mind, I’m so grateful to be here,” said Zhou after the race.

Having a Chinese driver is a boon for F1 and its owners Liberty Media, who see the country as an important market. Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali has previously said that China could host two races in one day.

Verstappen won Formula 1’s first Chinese GP in five years, with McLaren’s Lando Norris finishing a surprise second, denying Red Bull a one-two punch. The crushing victory from pole position was Verstappen’s fourth in five races in 2024 and came after he also won the first Saturday sprint of the season.

Mexican teammate Sergio Perez completed the podium.

The victory was the 58th of Verstappen’s career and Shanghai became the 26th circuit at which he has won.

“It felt great. We were incredibly fast all weekend. It was just fun to drive,” said the 26-year-old Dutchman, who was 13.773 seconds ahead of Norris.

“The car was basically on rails and I could do whatever I wanted with it.”

Team boss Christian Horner described Verstappen as a man who drives ‘on another planet’.

REUTERS