As he prepares to become the first Chinese driver to race in his home grand prix, Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu explains the impact of Formula 1’s return to the country. In an exclusive interview with CGTN Europe, Zhou describes the moment he signed his first F1 contract and the reaction he gets when he flies home to China from his growing fan base. Filmed at the Sauber headquarters in the Swiss Alps, Zhou takes a ride with Correspondent Johannes Pleschberger to talk about his life inside the sport.
By Lewis Hamilton
It’s been a crazy few days which have been filled with a whole range of emotions.
But as you all now know, after an incredible 11 years at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.
I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red.
Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I’ve ever had to make. I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved together and I’m very grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone I have worked with over the years and of course Toto, for his friendship, guidance and leadership. Together we have won titles, broken records and become the most successful Driver-Team partnership in F1 history. And of course I cannot forget Niki who was a huge supporter and who I still miss everyday.
I must also share my huge appreciation to the whole of the Mercedes-Benz board and everyone at the company in Germany and around the world for supporting me over these 26 years.
But the time is right to make a change and take on a new challenge. I still remember the feeling of taking a leap of faith into the unknown when I first joined Mercedes in 2013. I know some people didn’t understand it at the time but I was right to make the move then and it’s the feeling I have again now. I’m excited to see what I can bring to this new opportunity and what we can do together.
However, right now, I’m not thinking about 2025. My focus is on the upcoming season and getting back out on track with Mercedes. I am more driven than ever, I am fitter and more focussed than than ever and I want to help Mercedes win once again. I am 100% committed to the job I need to do and determined to end my partnership with the team on a high.
Thank you to all of you who have been on this journey with me, you have all lifted me up as I chase my dreams and I hope I can continue to make you proud. As always, sending you my love and positive energy.
🗓️ F1 2024 season to run from March 2-December 8; Season opener in Bahrain and second race in Saudi Arabia to be held on Saturday night, along with November’s Las Vegas GP; Chinese GP to return for first time since 2019; Japanese GP moves from September to April with Azerbaijan GP pushed back.
This explosive Sky Original documentary featuring some of the biggest names in F1 follows Nigel Mansell and the Williams Racing team’s rise to fame told through the eyes of his team, family, and drivers such as Jenson Button, Damon Hill, and Karun Chandhok. This documentary takes a deep look at both the driver and the car through the rebuild of the last FW14B, which has only ever been driven by Mansell. Thirty years later we break down what made this car so special and follow the journey of Mansell’s suspenseful, heart-breaking, and ultimately victorious career and his last chance to become a world champion.
🇬🇧 A selection of British tunes.
“My brother has been with me every step of the way. Few people have believed in me more than Nicolas. I’m so grateful for the blessing he is in my life and so happy to share this moment with him. Our smiles 🤣”. – Sir Lewis Hamilton
“I never said I was going to stop,” he said. “But it was a difficult time for me and I really needed to step back.
“It was a time where I really needed to step back, focus on being present. I had my family all around me creating great moments.
“Eventually I got to a point where I decided I was going to be attacking again coming into another season.”
UBS teamed up with our partners @Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One to give three aspiring young engineers the surprise of their lives on a tour of the Brackley Factory. The result was a day out that none of them will ever forget, and perhaps inspiration for life.
FIA F3 steering wheel explanation!!! Something you guys are always very interested to see. As many of you know I was doing a double program this season with FIA F3 (most competitive junior formula class worldwide) and my endurance program with Richard Mille Racing Team in ELMS and 24h of Le Mans. In the past you guys always loved to see how my cockpit looks so I decided to show you everything in bth racing cars. First is my Formula 3 steering. We are using the same steering wheel as Formula 2 and Formula E. They look the exact same just the buttons and rotaries are for different usages. Starting with the pedals we of course shift up on the right side and down on the left side with the middle pedals. Both on the top are for DRS which you just have to keep pulled as soon as you hit the DRS activation zone the wing opens. Of course when you release the pedal the DRS closes but also automatically when you hit the brakes. From F3 onwards until F1 you have hand clutch which are both bottom pedals. Obviously we have Pit Limiter, Radio, VSC and Reverse as our most important buttons. But also two to switch pages which different numbers and important numbers shown. There are some buttons which exist but you actually never really use… On the bottom we got three rotaries to use for different Engine or Clutch settings during the start procedure. Every single team has their own way of doing this procedure. In some weeks time I will be showing you the steering and cockpit of the LMP2 which has even more buttons which we also use while driving and which are very important. 24h of Le Mans was the best example for that.
GRANDPRIX20.COM 