Chants of "Guanyu, Guanyu, Guanyu" drowned out all other sound at the Shanghai International Circuit yesterday as Zhou Guanyu, China's first and only Formula 1 driver, stepped on to the starting grid ahead of his first Chinese Grand Prix.
Sauber's Zhou, who was racing in his hometown in China's first grand prix since 2019, had failed to score a point in the season's first four races but that did not dent the enthusiasm of the estimated 60,000 fans who turned out each day.
"It's really difficult. You try to focus on your job, on what's going on with your driving, but then having them all screaming and shouting and cheering for you - I'm just so grateful," Zhou said after finishing the race in 14th place and outside the points in the race won by triple world champion Max Verstappen.
Before lining up on the grid in Shanghai, the 24-year-old described how he had watched the race from turn one in 2004 "dreaming to be an F1 driver in the future."
"It's such an emotional journey these 20 years. It reflects so quickly on your mind, I'm just so grateful to be here," Zhou said after the race.
Having a Chinese driver is a boon for F1 and its owners Liberty Media, who see the country as a key market. Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali has previously said China could one day host two races.
Verstappen won Formula 1's first Chinese GP in five years with McLaren's Lando Norris finishing a surprise second to deny Red Bull a one-two finish. The crushing victory from pole position was Verstappen's fourth in five races in 2024 and came after he also won the season's first Saturday sprint.
Mexican teammate Sergio Perez completed the podium.
The victory was the 58th of Verstappen's career and Shanghai became the 26th track he has won at.
"It felt amazing. All weekend we were incredibly quick. It was just enjoyable to drive," said the 26-year-old Dutchman who finished 13.773 seconds clear of Norris.
"The car was basically on rails and I could do whatever I wanted to with it."
Team boss Christian Horner described Verstappen as a man driving "on another planet."
Max Verstappen races in Shanghai, where Yao Ming, with Zhou Guanyu, and Eileen Gu are among the celebrities in attendance. AP, REUTERS
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