Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu has revealed that his future at the Swiss team has not been decided yet as 2023 contract negotiations near crunch time.
The young Chinese driver arrived at Alfa Romeo at the start of the season after finishing third in the Formula 2 championship last season, and he has scored points on three occasions in 2022.
Zhou has generally impressed alongside Valtteri Bottas, and the Hinwil-based outfit are sixth in the Constructors’ Standings.
Bottas himself has recently affirmed that he is keen for his team-mate to be given an extension on his contract that runs out at the end of this year.
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His performances have put him in good stead for another deal going into next season, but nothing has been settled around his future just yet.
There were rumours that Alfa Romeo were planning to announce a new deal at the Italian Grand Prix, but that did not materialise, because pen has not yet been put to paper.
“Well, because it’s not decided yet,” Zhou told El Mundo Deportivo.
“We have plans, and we have to decide on the contract depending on the feedback. We are talking about the future now and everything looks promising, but we have to wait.”
The former Alpine academy racer is happy where he is.
“It is my first year in F1 and therefore the team is analysing my performance,” added Zhou.
“But the feedback is promising and the team is very happy with the work I have done. I am happy to work with them – I am enjoying it a lot.”
While nothing has been agreed between team and driver, Zhou remains optimistic.
“Nothing has arrived yet, but I hope for good news,” he stated.
The aim for the 23-year-old is the same as it is for everyone else – to win the world championship.
“That is the objective of this work,” said Zhou.
“For the first year, the goal was to learn and improve my skills, but there will come a point where I want to fight for podiums, or more than just scoring points, for sure.
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“I hope to be in that position one day, but right now I’m here trying to get things right in my first few years before I take that step.”
Zhou held on to score a point in Monza last time out at the home race of Sauber’s naming rights holder.
The two parties will separate at the end of next season, and Audi are reportedly set to buy shares ahead of the 2024 season in preparation for a takeover in 2026.