Zhou Guanyu is best known for his skill and tenacity on the track as well as his outstanding victories in karting and single-seater racing.
However, Zhou began his career in karting before he became a rising star in Formula 2 and a development driver for Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN in Formula 1.
In this article, we will look at Zhou Guanyu’s go-karting career. We will include when he started racing go-karts, how good he was, where he went karting, and more.
When Did Zhou Guanyu Start Racing Go-Karts?
At age 8, Zhou Guanyu began competing in go-kart races.
Zhou, who was born on May 30, 1999, in Shanghai, China, developed a love for racing when his parents took him to a nearby karting track.
He was instantly drawn to the thrill and adrenaline of the activity and pleaded with his parents to let him give it a try. They finally gave in, and Zhou went karting for the first time.
He was instantly fascinated and decided he wanted to pursue a career in racing.
Zhou’s parents encouraged him to pursue his passion and recognized his skill on the track. To offer Zhou the best chance to compete at a higher level, they decided to relocate to Sheffield, England, in 2012.
Sheffield was the ideal location for Zhou to continue honing his abilities because of its fiercely competitive karting environment.
Zhou moved to Sheffield and joined the renowned and successful karting squad Strawberry Racing. The squad assisted him in refining his driving techniques and formulating his racing plan.
With the help of the Strawberry Racing team, Zhou established himself as a serious competitor on the karting circuit.
How Good Was Zhou Guanyu At Karting?
Zhou Guanyu was a very skilled karting driver who soon made a name for himself as a tough opponent on the circuit.
At the Kartmasters British Grand Prix, Zhou placed sixth in the Rotax Junior division in his maiden season with the Strawberry Racing team.
He followed this up in 2012 by placing fourth in the Rotax Mini Max division of the Super 1 National Championship.
Breakthrough
Zhou Guanyu’s breakthrough year in karting was in 2013 when he won two of the most prestigious competitions in the sport: the Super 1 National Rotax Max Junior Championship and the Rotax Max Euro Challenge.
These victories came after a promising 2012 season where Zhou finished sixth in the Rotax Junior category at the Kartmasters British Grand Prix.
Also, in the Rotax Mini Max division of the Super 1 National Championship, he came in fourth.
The Super 1 National Rotax Max Junior Championship is a highly competitive event. Zhou’s victory was a clear sign that he had the skill and talent to compete at the highest level.
His performance in the Rotax Max Euro Challenge was equally impressive, with Zhou taking the top spot on the podium in both the qualifying heats and the pre-final.
He then won the final race with a commanding performance, finishing more than three seconds ahead of his closest rival.
Zhou qualified for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals that year in New Orleans thanks to his victory in the Rotax Max Euro Challenge.
Even though he came in third, it was still an impressive accomplishment for a driver who was still relatively new to the sport. Zhou demonstrated his ability to get to the top of the motorsports world with his triumphs in 2013.
Scouts and talent spotters in the industry took notice of him right away.
| Season | Series | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Kartmasters British Grand Prix — Rotax Mini Max | 14th | |
| 2011 | Trent Valley Kart Club — Mini Max | 10th | |
| 2012 | Kartmasters British Grand Prix — Rotax Junior | Strawberry Racing | 6th |
| Super 1 National Championship — Rotax Mini Max | 4th | ||
| Rotax Max Euro Challenge — Junior | Strawberry Racing | 8th | |
| Rotax International Open — Junior | 6th | ||
| Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals — Junior | RPM Racing Team | 8th | |
| 2013 | Rotax Max Wintercup — Rotax Max Junior | Strawberry Racing | 2nd |
| Super 1 National Championship — Rotax Max Junior | 1st | ||
| Rotax Max Euro Challenge — Junior | 1st | ||
| Rotax International Open — Junior | 3rd | ||
| Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals — Junior | 3rd | ||
| 2014 | Rotax Max Wintercup — Rotax Max Senior | Strawberry Racing | 2nd |
| South Garda Winter Cup — KF | 12th | ||
| WSK Champions Cup — KF | 32nd | ||
| WSK Super Master Series — KF | 27th | ||
| CIK-FIA European Championship — KF | Ricky Flynn Motorsport | 44th | |
| Rotax Max Euro Challenge — Senior | Strawberry Racing | 2nd | |
| CIK-FIA World Championship — KF | Ricky Flynn Motorsport | NC | |
| Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals — Senior | Strawberry Racing | 16th |
Where Did Zhou Guanyu Go Karting?
Zhou Guanyu’s karting career took him to many locations around the world.
He started racing karts in his hometown of Shanghai, China, where he quickly established himself as a talented young driver. In 2012, at 13, Zhou moved to Sheffield, England, to race in a more competitive environment.
As part of the Strawberry Racing team, Zhou competed in some of the most prestigious karting events around the world.
He participated in the Rotax Max Euro Challenge, the Super 1 National Championship, and the Karting World Championship, among others.
These events took him to countries like Italy, France, Belgium, and the United States. He gained valuable experience racing on different tracks and in different conditions.
Final Thoughts
Zhou Guanyu’s karting career was impressive. From humble beginnings in his hometown of Shanghai, China, Zhou’s passion and talent for racing quickly became apparent.
Moving to Sheffield, England, to race with the Strawberry Racing team was a significant milestone in Zhou’s career. It allowed him to compete in some of the most prestigious karting events around the world.
He gained valuable experience racing on different tracks and in different conditions.
It takes a tremendous amount of skill, focus, and determination to succeed in motorsport, and Zhou had all those qualities in abundance.
His karting success also set the foundation for his future success in Formula 3. He is also a reserve driver for Alfa Romeo Racing.
Looking back on Zhou’s Karting career, it’s clear that he was destined for greatness from a young age.
Zhou’s karting career may have been relatively short, but it was incredibly impactful and played a significant role in shaping the driver he is today.
