Alfa Romeo have confirmed that Zhou Guanyu will retain his place in their Formula 1 team for the 2023 season.
Zhou was a notable addition to the 2022 ranks as he became the first Chinese driver to compete in the top tier of the sport.
The 23-year-old has not enjoyed the most seamless transition to Formula 1 with four retirements and just three top-10 finishes.
However, his Italian manufacturer announced on Tuesday morning that he would continue his progression with a second year in the car.
Commenting on social media after the announcement, Zhou said: "It's been an absolutely crazy year but I'm proud of everything we have achieved as a team so far! Let's keep working to reach more milestones together."
Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN and Zhou Guanyu: the journey continues! The Shanghai tiger keeps on roaring...#KeepMakingHistory #TeamZHOU pic.twitter.com/7rlOLnt4d9
— Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN (@alfaromeoorlen) September 27, 2022
Alfa Romeo have enjoyed a much-improved campaign in comparison to 2021 when they accumulated just 13 points from their 22 races.
Much of that progress can be put down to the efforts of Valtteri Bottas, who is 10th in the Drivers' Standings with 46 points after seven top-10 finishes during the first half of the campaign.
Nevertheless, positives will be taken from Zhou collecting six points, his best finish coming in Canada when he posted eighth place.
His other points-scoring performances came in Australia - the first race of the season - and in Italy, his most recent outing.
Alfa Romeo are currently bidding to finish in sixth position in the Constructors' table, their lead over Haas being 18 points with six races left.
Darren Plant
