Zhou Guanyu has signed an extension to his Formula 1 contract to keep him at Alfa Romeo alongside Valtteri Bottas for 2024.
The Chinese driver's future was uncertain as negotiations took place between the team and his representatives over extending his time with the team beyond a second season in which he has performed well alongside Bottas.
Formula 2 champion-elect Theo Pourchaire was touted as a potential replacement for Zhou as the team continues to build towards the arrival of Audi in 2026, but Zhou has signed a deal to stay on for 2024, a year in which it is expected the first Chinese Grand Prix will be held since 2019.
Zhou has impressed the team with his technical feedback and professional approach in and out of the car, having matured during his second season, with the team describing the decision to keep him on for a third season "a natural conclusion."
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Zhou signed for 2024
Describing his renewal, Zhou thanked the team for its trust and looked forward to the return to the Shanghai International Circuit which has not been visited by F1 since the outbreak of COVID-19.
"Signing again with the team is always a great feeling, especially when we know how things are shaping up," Zhou explained.
"I am proud to be part of Alfa Romeo and grateful for their trust: I have been working extremely hard since day one and there is an incredible level of motivation to keep doing so every day forward.
"My relationship with Valtteri is really good, and we are working closely together and with the team to push everyone forward.
"I am also very excited about the opportunity to finally race with my team in China, in front of my home crowd. It will be a great moment and I’m proud to be able to share it with all those who have supported me."
Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravo labelled the decision to stick with Zhou and Bottas as a "conscious decision" taken to build on stability through the Audi transition.
"The decision to continue our journey with our driver line-up unchanged is a testament to the investment we have made in our project," he explained.
"Nothing in Formula One changes overnight, and we have taken a conscious decision to focus on stability and to keep building our team up together as we embark on an important period of transition.
"Valtteri and Zhou are drivers of known talent and skill and they work really well together: they are well-matched and can push each other.
"Valtteri has taken a real leader’s role within the team, pushing us all to give our best; Zhou has made impressive steps forward in the last two years and we expect him to continue on this trajectory in 2024.
"Now the baton is back to us – we have to give both drivers a good car and put them in the best conditions to perform."
With the announcement of Zhou's renewal, there are now just three seats available on the 2024 grid.
Logan Sargeant's Williams future is unclear, with both seats at AlphaTauri up for grabs with one of Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson likely to miss out.
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