Zhou is proud of his F1 legacy, and its mark on China

As a child, racing fan Zhou Guanyu would often tune in to Formula One races at odd hours with the TV volume turned down as his parents were already asleep.

- Kimberly Kwek

His room was covered with posters of his idol, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, and the first helmet that Zhou owned was unsurprisingly a replica of the Spaniard's.

Now competing in his third F1 season, the Sauber driver is making the same mark on fans in his home country.

The first Chinese driver to compete at the sport's pinnacle in 2022, Zhou is hugely popular among local fans, as evidenced by the droves who turned out for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai in April to catch a glimpse of him.

Many of them were also wearing his helmet in the stands.

"I'm actually quite happy they have someone to watch but, then, also still grateful the person is me. On the other side, a lot of young generations, there are kids really starting go karting," said Zhou in an interview with The Straits Times arranged by Marina Bay Sands Singapore.

"The racing atmosphere has just grown so much compared to how my generation was. It's just getting better now, and I'm just really happy for that."