'Don't Give A S**t': Zhou Addresses Rumors About His Future In F1

Saturday, 30 December 2023 at 23:00

Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu dismissed rumors about insufficient financial backing amid a late contract singing with his team.

Zhou Guanyu joined the Alfa Romeo/ Sauber team for the 2022 season and has had a contract valid until the end of the 2023 season.

Zhou was expected to remain with the team even beyond 2023. Still, as his negotiations with the team took longer than expected, rumors started popping out about his lack of financial backing and potential replacement drivers.

When asked whether there was something true about the lack of financial resources by motorsport.com, Zhou dismissed the rumors, saying:

"It's politics! People were saying Sergio [Perez] would retire in the Mexico GP but nothing goes on. It is the rumours of Fernando [Alonso] swapping his seat [to join Red Bull]. That's crazy.

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The Spanish matador has really been rumored to be in potential talks over a seat with Red Bull. However, he also completely dismissed the rumors and threatened consequences for those who started them. Zhou continued:

"I don't give a shit about it, to be honest! It is like all the other crazy stuff I got when I first signed my contract."

Zhou recently opened up about how hard it was to hear all the criticism addressed his way when he signed with Alfa Romeo in 2022. He said it was a similar situation.

"I was like, 'I will just let it flow, I will make sure I do the talking on track, making sure people respect why I'm here.’ Everything's been good since then."

It is often the case that drivers sign contracts with their teams but can't reveal it has already happened and have to wait a few days for their teams to announce it officially. Zhou added:

"I'm just quite laid back but it's actually quite fun at times to see some rumors because you know what's coming - you signed the contract, there's still rumors about other people are taking your seat. It's quite funny sometimes."