Zhou Guanyu says he and Alfa Romeo must enter the 2023 Formula 1 season with higher expectations, following a promising 2022, after launching its C43 on Tuesday.
Zhou scored points on his debut in Bahrain but added only a couple of more top 10 finishes, in Canada and Italy, peaking with eighth place.
Zhou was able to return to his native China during the off-season for the first time since mid-2020 and described himself as “ready to attack” his sophomore campaign.
“As a rookie Formula 1 is always very challenging – I went through a lot of different situations, had my highs and lows,” Zhou explained.
“I’m happy with what we achieved in the first year and definitely expectations for this year are higher.
“It’s quite simple that I want to achieve more points finishes for the team, and for myself, and have a higher finish. P8 was my best finish in F1 so this year a top six would be amazing, and also to get through to Q3 more often.
“I think we have the package and the car to do so; it’s still going to be very tight in the midfield, so it’ll be about small details. Less mistakes and more consistency will pay off.”
Zhou believes the experiences gathered through 2022 will enable him to be more settled heading into 2023.
“Last year, in Bahrain, and the first few races I was so nervous and this year I feel much more relaxed,” he said.
“To face these tracks and challenges again I think it’ll be a completely different mentality, with the mental approach.”
