Chinese driver Guanyu Zhou, who currently competes in the Formula 2 Championship for Virtuosi Racing, is set to make his debut at the Austrian Grand Prix. Replacing Fernando Alonso in Free Practice 1 at the Red Bull Ring, he will become the first Chinese driver in eight years to take part in a Free Practice in F1.

Zhou is a part of the Alpine Academy and presently serves as the test driver for the Enstone-based team. And he will finally get his first taste of the 2021 F1 machinery this weekend, driving a two-time world champion‘s car.

The 22-year-old has already secured two victories in F2 at Monaco and Bahrain and currently sits top of the driver’s standings with 78 points.

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Dream come true: Guanyu Zhou on replacing Fernando Alonso for FP1

“Driving in FP1 at a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend is like a dream coming true and another step closer to my ultimate goal of becoming a Formula 1 driver,” said the F2 championship leader ahead of the Austrian GP.

“It’s going to be a very special moment. I’m preparing myself as much as I can to be ready and also ensure that I’m able to complete all the targets and plans that the team have set me to do,” he added.

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“There have not been many Chinese drivers in Formula 1, so to be behind the wheel of an F1 car during a race weekend is going to be a very proud feeling.

“It’s going to be even more special that I’m driving Fernando’s car as he inspired me to pursue a career in racing when I was young. added Guanyu Zhou.

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Guanyu Zhou will only be the second Chinese driver ever to feature in Formula 1. Ma Qinghua previously appeared in five practice sessions between 2012 and 2013.