Zhou seeking clarity on Alfa future as Pourchaire threat looms

Alfa Romeo charger Zhou Guanyu is hoping that F1's summer break will offer him some clarity on his future with the Swiss outfit amid talks of Sauber junior Theo Pourchaire stepping up to F1.

While Valtteri Bottas' seat with the Sauber-run squad is safe for 2024, Zhou's contract with the team will expire at the end of this season.

Now in his second year of F1, Zhou is performing well and on a par with his experienced teammate although both drivers are having to contend with the poor efficiency of their C43 machine.

However, with the Sauber outfit set to slowly transition towards its future Audi identity, there is currently no certainty that Zhou will be retained for 2024 although the team has indicated that it would like to keep its driver line-up unchanged.

Furthermore, the Chinese driver must also face the potential threat posed by Pourchaire, Alfa's talented reserve driver who is currently leading the FIA Formula 2 Championship with three rounds and six races to go.

• Read also: Alfa Romeo hoping to keep same driver line-up for 2024

But Zhou admits that he's giving little thought to the young Frenchman's aspirations as he focuses on his own case and priorities.

"To be fair, I feel like from the beginning of every year, people try to say this, some people might be in with a chance of taking the seat," Zhou told the media at Spa recently.

"But for me, I don't care about what other people are doing in their championship.

©AlfaRomeo

"What I need to do is prove I belong here, prove that I am improving, that I am making a big step and then there will be not too much to worry about.

"But if I make a lot of mistakes, then I feel like I don't deserve to be here, and it is right that they have the chances to get the seat.

"If I do everything right, there's no reason to be worried about [losing my seat.]"

Zhou suggested that talks are underway with Sauber's top brass for 2024 and beyond, and the 24-year-old hopes that those discussions will provide him with a clearer picture on his F1 future by the time he returns to action at Zandvoort at the end of the month.

©AlfaRomeo

"I want to have a clearer picture before the summer break ends," he added.

"We have to see what to do to make everything happen on paper, but at the moment, my management is discussing with the team, so we have to see, but obviously [qualifying fifth] in Budapest helps.

"We're open to all the opportunities, but my priority is to try and stay here, because after two years, I feel really settled within the team.

"As a rookie when you arrive, you will be on a one-year contract, but after two years, I do want a little bit of a longer contract."

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