Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu extend contracts with Alfa Romeo Sauber for 2024 season
Posted : 14 September 2023
Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are set to continue with the Alfa Romeo Sauber team for the 2024 season, marking their third consecutive year together.
Bottas, who made the switch from Mercedes in 2022, was already under contract for the upcoming season, but there were uncertainties regarding Zhou's future with the team.
Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi stated that the team has opted for "stability" as they progress toward becoming the factory Audi team by 2026. After this season, the team is concluding its partnership with Alfa Romeo and will race under a new name in the next season, yet to be disclosed. While Audi is already a part-owner, its name is expected to be formally introduced when it officially enters Formula 1.
Bravi noted, "Valtteri and Zhou are drivers of known talent and skill, and they work really well together: they are well-matched and can push each other. Valtteri has taken a real leader's role within the team, pushing us all to give our best; Zhou has made impressive steps forward in the last two years, and we expect him to continue on this trajectory in 2024."
Reserve driver Theo Pourchaire will also remain with the team.
Bottas, whose contract concludes after the next season, expressed optimism about the team's future, emphasizing the significant efforts behind the scenes. He stated, "Every step forward we make is a step forward for this year and next, so we are motivated to give everything we have every time we're trackside or at the factory."
Zhou expressed gratitude for the trust Sauber has shown in him and anticipation for racing in his home country as China returns to the F1 calendar next year, marking his first home grand prix.
Alfa Romeo/Sauber has faced challenges this year and currently holds ninth place out of 10 teams in the constructors' championship, trailing Haas by just one point, with eight races remaining in the season.
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