Alfa Romeo has confirmed that they will retain the services of both Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas for the 2024 season.
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Zhou, who is China’s first full time driver in Formula 1 made his debut with Alfa Romeo in 2022, scoring a point in his first race in Bahrain.
The team released a statement confirming the extension of his contract, stating that his “maturity and a methodical has earned him supporters within the team, making the extension a natural conclusion.
It was also confirmed that Theo Pourchaire will continue as their reserve driver for 2024.
Both Alfa Romeo’s drivers are now contracted to the end of the 2024 season, a similar move to that of Mercedes who recently extended both Russell and Hamilton’s contracts to the end of the 2025 season.
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The decision to continue our journey with our driver line-up unchanged is testament to the investment we have made in our project. 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. Finally, I am happy that Théo will remain with the team for 2024 as one of our reserve drivers: he has done an incredible job this year, not just in F2, where we will all support him as he fights for the title in Abu Dhabi, but also behind the scenes, working with the team in Hinwil.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Team Representative
Signing again with the team is always a great feeling, especially when we know how things are shaping up. I am proud to be part of Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake 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.
Zhou Guanyu
Over the years, the team has become a family to me and, therefore, I am really happy and grateful to continue my journey with Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake and the Sauber Academy. The support I have received from everyone in the team has been outstanding, and I’m proud to be able to contribute to the growth of the whole operation. I have a lot in me I can give to this special group of people and I’m looking forward to the future. Of course, a great way to say thank you would be to finish the job in F2 in Abu Dhabi – I’ll give everything to bring it home for the team.
Théo Pourchaire