Antonio Giovinazzi dumped as Alfa Romeo reveal F1’s first Chinese driver

There will be a new driver on the F1 grid from next year but the man he is replacing has not left without a parting shot.

Guanyu Zhou is a F1 driver. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

The F1 grid for 2022 has been finalised as Guanyu Zhou was revealed as Alfa Romeo’s new driver.

Zhou will partner Mercedes star Valtteri Bottas in the new-look team as Kimi Raikkonen retires and Italian Antonio Giovinazzi was dumped.

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Giovinazzi has been long discussed as the man whose job was most under threat as both Zhou and Aussie Oscar Piastri appeared to be fighting for the role.

Giovinazzi’s best finish was fifth in the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix but has finished in the top 10 just three times for the perennial also-rans.

Giovinazzi has been at odds with Alfa Romeo lately, having ignored team orders in Turkey and complained about the team strategy in Mexico.

And the 27-year-old threw a parting shot via Instagram on his way out.

“@f1 is emotion, talent, cars, risk, speed. But when money rules it can be ruthless,” he wrote.

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

“If this was my first picture in F1, the last still has to be taken.”

The money aspect he is referring to was the reported $AUD48 million backing believed to have been available to help Zhou land a seat in F1, a report that was labelled “pure speculation and bulls***” by Alfa Romeo team principal Fred Vasseur.

Vasseur paid tribute to Giovinazzi.

“Saying goodbye to a driver is never easy, especially so in the case of Antonio, who has been part of the team for so long,” Vasseur said.

“As we part ways, we will cherish the memories of the good times and learn lessons from the bad ones, knowing these moments all made us grow together as a team.

“We wish Antonio the best for his future after the 2021 season: before then, we still have three races to achieve some good results together and finish the year strongly.”

Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali added: “I want to thank Antonio for being a brilliant ambassador for Formula 1 and Italy. He has done a great job and I hope we will see him back on the F1 grid in the future. I wish him all the best and know he will do well in whatever he chooses to do.”

Guanyu Zhou will come in for Antonio Giovinazzi. Photo: Getty Images

Zhou’s elevation is a historic moment for F1, becoming the sport’s first ever Chinese driver.

He has been in F2 for the past three seasons and is second in the championship, 36 points behind Piastri ahead of the final two races.

Piastri was named the reserve driver for Alpine next season.

Although Alfa Romeo are languishing in ninth in the constructors’ championship, Zhou will be hoping the team can offer a more competitive package in 2022 when the new technical regulations come into place.

“It is a privilege for me to start my F1 racing career with an iconic team, a team that has introduced so much young talent into F1 in the past,” Zhou said. “Now the dream is reality. I feel well prepared for the immense challenge of Formula 1, the pinnacle of my sport, alongside a proven, world-class talent in Valtteri Bottas.

“Next year the target will be to learn as much as possible and as quickly as possible. To be the first ever Chinese driver in F1 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.”