Chants of “Guanyu, Guanyu, Guanyu” drowned out all different sound on the Shanghai Worldwide Circuit on Sunday as Zhou Guanyu, China’s first and solely Components One driver, stepped on to the beginning grid forward of his first Chinese language Grand Prix.

Sauber’s Zhou, who was racing in his hometown in China’s first grand prix since 2019, had failed to attain some extent within the season’s first 4 races however that didn’t dent the passion of the estimated 60,000 followers who turned out every day.

“It is actually troublesome. You attempt to focus in your job, on what is going on on together with your driving, however then having all of them screaming and shouting and cheering for you; I am simply so grateful,” Zhou stated after ending the race in 14th place and out of doors the factors.

“I’ve no phrases truthfully, the gang and the way the followers react all weekend, they’ve simply been so emotional. I am honoured to be right here and I am pleased to finish the grand prix, I drove my coronary heart out as we speak however sadly not sufficient for the factors so we go once more subsequent time.”

Earlier than lining up on the grid in entrance of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the 24-year-old described how he had watched the race from flip one in 2004 “dreaming to be an F1 driver sooner or later.”

“It is such an emotional journey these twenty years. It displays so shortly in your thoughts, I am simply so grateful to be right here,” Zhou stated after the race.

Having a Chinese language driver is a boon for F1 and its house owners Liberty Media, who see the nation as a key market. Components One CEO Stefano Domenicali has beforehand stated China might at some point host two races.

F1 fan Xu Zheng, who travelled down from Beijing to observe the race, stated Zhou’s significance to Chinese language motorsport couldn’t be overstated.

“A decade or two in the past, after I was new to F1, it was unimaginable to have a Chinese language driver racing in a Components One automotive,” he added.

“Zhou Guanyu’s expertise and story will certainly encourage extra Chinese language practitioners of the game or youngsters who share the identical dream to try for the long run.”