In November 2023, Alfa Romeo, which returned to the Formula 1 (F1) stage as one of the constructors, announced that it would withdraw. The automotive manufacturer with a history of participation in the land jet racing stage, which competed again starting in 2018, stated that it would no longer compete starting in 2024. So the two land jet racers who are under the team flag, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, were joined by new team owners.
Although it has not been officially stated, it is possible that the name of Bottas and Zhou’s team will be Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. Stake and Kick are the two main sponsors, while Sauber took over ownership of the team from Alfa Romeo to become one of the contestants in the constructors’ standings.
Sauber itself is not a new name, was lucky to have received an invitation to dinner with this team when covering the F1 Fosters Belgian GP and Malaysian GP races.
The team was owned by Peter Sauber from Switzerland, and the PR Manager at that time was Agnes Carlier. Some cool driver names born from this team include Michael Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, Robert Kubica, and Nick Hetfield.
Rasta style and dreadlocks in Zhou Guanyu’s hair [picture courtesy Zhou Guanyu]. Currently, Sauber will be the home of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. Zhou himself is in his hometown, Shanghai, after the 2023 F1 racing season ended.
This moment was marked by several land jet racers by uploading photos of them having dinner together. Among others, there are Lewis Hamilton, Zhou Guanyu himself, Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, Jr., George Russell, Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas and several more.
There Zhou Guanyu wrote a humorous but touching sentence, “Last dump 2023, a racing season that feels long, lots of difficulties but everyone is working hard, thank you to the team, we are ready to soar again, thank you also the fans.”
Apparently that’s the time when F1 drivers are stubborn before going their separate ways for the Christmas and New Year holidays and testing and racing again next year.
To fulfill his stubborn nature, Zhou Guanyu also uploaded a portrait where his hair is in small dreadlock or rasta style braids which are reminiscent of the style of one of his seniors in the world of F1: Lewis Hamilton. He commented on his own appearance, “While you’re young, it’s okay to try crazy but exciting things.”
However… even though he is mischievous and stubborn, Zhou Guanyu also has a loving side. Something that can make anyone’s heart melt when they see this upload. Written as a post caption was, “Welcome to my life.”
Who is the lucky one to get that congratulation?
It turns out that it’s not a charming sexy girl but an adorable kitten. It’s so cute that one of Zhou Guanyu’s fans couldn’t resist commenting, “This is Shanghai Tiger, isn’t it?” and “Can you join in and come up with a name for it?”
Super cute, Zhou Guanyu’s pet kitten [picture courtesy Zhou Guanyu]. Congratulations to Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas on the new team name and now under the Sauber banner. Hopefully this veteran constructor will be able to provide exciting opportunities for its two drivers.
