Sauber pair 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Valtteri Bottas and168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: Zhou Guanyu served a timely reminder to their employer as they impressed in qualifying for the F1 Chinese Grand Prix sprint race.

With Audi coming onboard tꦉo takeover the Sauber-run operation ahead of the new regulation changes in 2026, the German manufacturer is in the process of picking the right driver line-up to take into F1’s new engine era.

Bottas and Zhou are out of contract at the end of the year and there has been speculation that both could be replaced for 2025, with Sauber/Audi heavily linked with several free agents including the likes of 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Carlos Sainz and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Nico Hulkenberg.

With uncertainty lingering over their respective futures, a strong performance in qualify൲ing for the first sprint race of the season came at the right time.

Sauber have endured a bleak start to 2024 and are one of 🍸three teams yet to score a point across the opening four races of the season.

But the team enjoyed a rare high point in Shanghai on Friday as Bottas and Zhou capitalised on changeable conditions in a chaotic qualifying to take ninth and 🌞10th on the grid for Saturday’s sprint race.

It was a par🦩ticularly impressive performance from Zhou in the face of immense pressure going into the weekend as the first-ever Chinese driver to race at their home grand prix.

But the 24-year-old dไelighted his adoring fans by sneaking into SQ3 and putting himself in a good position for the sprint, where points are awarded to the top eight finishers.

“The pressure before the weekend was so extreme,” Zhou admitted to Sky Sports F1. “I never𝓡 felt it until the first race I did, my debut. Everyone is here to see you, so you want to do well. That’s when mistakes ca🐷n happen.

“It’s a big relief. I am really happy for today. It’s a lot pressure, thi🙈s weekend.

“There is a high expectation as always. My first 🌞time a🌞t home, first day in the office, first time at the track.

“It’s great to be🎀 in [S]Q3 for the first time in m💟y career.

“Every time, before I jump in the car, even in the garage, I can see the crowd cheering. I am honoured t𓆉hat I could give them some result💦 and reward for coming here to sit in the rain.”

Zhou now has his sights set on a point, which could prove incredibly valuable ♊for Sauber amid a brutal battle of the backmarkers for any scraps that might become available.

RB and Ha⭕as have taken what little opportunities have emerged to date, but Saub♔er now have a chance to potentially pull themselves away from immediate rivals Williams and Alpine.

“A point is something we a🧸im for,” Zhou said. “If I want to score my first point of the season, I would pick Shanghai. There will be mixed conditions, let’s make the best of it, and prepare for Sunday’s main race.”

Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok believe♛s Zhou’s performance has come at a critical time as he looks to extend his stay into a fourth season.

"The best way to 💛make your case to stay in F1, and stay with your team, is to keep delive🧜ring performances on track,” he said. “That is the most important thing.

“He did a great job in the dry session. He’s a little away from Valtteri Bottas, t🌞o be fair. It looks like the team have done a good job, the car is competitive.

“For someone going from China to livin꧃g in Shef💎field, it is an amazing story.”