Zhou is set to become first Chinese driver in F1 with Alfa

Guanyu Zhou will become the first Chinese driver in Formula One after it was announced he will race for Alfa Romeo next season.

Zhou, 22, replaces Antonio Giovinazzi and will join Va lt teri bot ta sin a new-look line-up at the Italian team. His deal completes the grid for the 2022 F1 campaign.

Zhou is second in the Formula Two championship heading into the final two rounds of F1's feeder series.

"I dreamt from a young age of climbing as high as I can in a sport that I am passionate about and now the dream has come true," said Zhou.

"It is a privilege for me to start my Formula One racing career with an iconic team, a team that has introduced so much young talent into Formula One in the past. Now the dream is reality. I feel well prepared for the immense challenge of Formula One, the pinnacle of my sport, alongside a proven, world-class talent in Valtteri Bottas.

"To be the first ever Chinese driver in Formula One is a breakthrough for Chinese motorsport history. I know a lot of hopes will be resting on me and, as ever, I will take this as motivation to become better and achieve more."

Zhoucouldb ring as much as £20million in Chinese backing to Alfa Romeo. F1 recently announced an extension to race in China until 2025.

Alfa team principal Frederic Vasseur said: "The decision is crucial for the future of the company.

"It was not only based on the fact that he is Chinese but it will be a mega-push for the company, for sponsors and I think also for F1 in general," the Frenchman told Reuters.

"He's a front-runner in F2, he won in Bahrain and Silverstone this season and is still in a position to win the championship."

The dep art inggiov in azzi, 27, who has driven for Alfa Romeo since 2019, tweeted: "F1 is emotion, talent, cars, risk, speed. But when money rules it can be ruthless.

"I believe in the surprise of an unexpected result, of big or small victories achieved thanks to one's commitment."