Zhou making full-throttle run at F1

Young Chinese driver determined to realize his dream on biggest stage

Chinese Formula One fans have long dreamed of cheering one of their own in the world's most prestigious auto sport.

That prospect is looking ever more realistic thanks to the form of young gun Zhou Guanyu, who earlier this month became the first Chinese to claim pole position in a Formula 2 race, at England's famous Silverstone track.

The 20-year-old went on to finish third and climbed to sixth in the overall standings as UNI-Virtuosi Racing teammate Luca Ghiotto topped the podium.

In January, Zhou was appointed Renault F1's development driver, earning him the right to work alongside some of the sport's finest at the team's British base in Enstone.

The position involves driving the team's simulator and participating in engineering briefings, making him the first driver from China to fill a Formula 1 role with a manufacturer team.

"As long as I'm available, I'll sit in on the drivers' and engineers' meetings, so it's a great chance for me to learn from the experts," Zhou told China Daily in an exclusive interview during a visit home on Tuesday.

"Now I can acquire first-hand F1 experience - understanding how the teams actually work on every racing weekend. I can also communicate with the drivers, such as Daniel Ricciardo, in the pit."

Having graduated from F3, Zhou now hopes his superb season in F2 will attract more F1 interest in his talents.

"My goals are not only winning more pole positions and trophies in F2 - my ultimate ambition is to enter F1," he said.

Zhou has been a motor sports fan since he was a kid and started go-karting when he was just 8 years old.

F1's China debut in 2004 further piqued the youngster's interest, though he could barely distinguish between the racers as their cars zoomed around the Shanghai International circuit.

One blue car stuck in his mind: Fernando Alonso's Renault. And the two-time F1 world champion later became Zhou's idol.