The 23-year-old made history this year by becoming F1’s first Chinese driver, partnering former Mercedes racer 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Valtteri Bottas to complete Alfa Romeo’s refre🀅shed driver line-up for 2022. 

Zhou has scored six points in 16 races, including a best result of eighth place at the Canadian Grand Prix, and lies 17th in the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:drivers’ standings with six r𓃲ounds remaining in his rookie F1 campaign. 

EXCLUSIVE: Zhou reveals support from F1 ally Hamilton 

Thanks to Zhou and Bottas’ efforts, Hinwil-based Alfa Romeoꦯ are on course to end the season sixth in the constructors’ championship standings. 

Alfa Romeo officially confirmed Zhou’s new deal on Tuesday, ahead of this weekend’s 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Singapore Grand Prix. 

“I am happy and grateful to Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN for the 𝓡opportunity to be part of the team for another season," said Zhou.

"Making it to F1 was a dream come true and the feeling of competing for the first time in a race will live with me forever: the team has been incredibly𝓡 supportive, welcoming me from day one and helping me adapt to the most complex series in motorsport.

"There is more that I want to achieve i꧂n this sport and with the team, and the hard work we have put together since the start of the year is just the first step towards where we want to be next season. There is still a lot to learn, a lot to develop but I am confident in our work: I am looking forward to the next chapter of our storꦗy together.”

Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur said the te🍎am were surprised at how quickly Zhou has adapted to life in F1 following his promotion from F2. 

“I am looking forward to continuing working with Zhou," Vasseur said. "From day one with 🧸the team, at the Abu Dhabi test last year, he has impressed me with his approach to work and this is always a very positive trait.

"We knew he was quick, but the way 🥃he adapted to F1 in such a short time has been one of the best surprises of our season. He is a very nice guy, everyone in the team likes both his personality and attitude.

"He has had the humili🥂ty to ask questions and learn, from the engineers as well as Valtteri, and the intelligence to apply all the information he got to improve race after race. He will have this experience to draw on next season, and I am sure he will make another step forward as we continue to grow our team.”

As well as finishing third in last year’s F2 championship, Zhou helped seal a move to Alfa Romeo at the expense of 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Antonio Giovinazzi by bringing a sizable financial package 🥂from his Chinese backers. 

And Alfa Romeo are set to feel the benefit of even greater exposure from Zhou’s presence on the grid with the Chinese Grand Prix provisionally included on the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:F1 2023 calendar. 

F1 is aiming to race in Shanghai for the first time in three years next April, though the return of the Chinese Grand Prix depends on the country’s COVID-19 situ💃ation. 

Zhou spoke of his excitement about the prospect of racing in front of his home crowd for the first time during a 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:wide-ranging interview with mahbx.com.

The announcement of Zhou’s renewal locks out Alfa Romeo’s line-up and leaves just three vacancies in the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:F1 2023 driver line-up - with onꦡe seat free at Alpine, Haas and Williams respectiveꦗly.