Zhou fast-tracks his F1 dreams

"I encountered technical problems in the first race of 2020, and they kept reoccurring for the rest of the season. But all those setbacks made me a more mature driver," said Zhou.

"I hope I can have better luck in 2021 and show my real speed. Last season's sixth-place finish was not a true reflection of my best. My goal is to at least have a top-three finish this year and I'll try my best to win the championship."

And although he didn't quite meet his own impeccably high standards last year, Zhou reckons the victory in Russia was something of a watershed moment in his career.

"It took quite a lot of pressure off my shoulders," Zhou told fiaformula2.com. "I said before the season, even in my rookie campaign, that I wanted that first victory.

"I had come close a number of times, like in Austria at the start of the season or at Monza when we were flying through the field before I had a technical issue. Getting the win takes the pressure off my shoulders.

"I wouldn't say the pressure really affected me a lot, but it was frustrating because we got to the middle of the season and we were still having bad luck.

"Failures, crashes, whatever, and it was such a tight championship, so one bad result had a big effect on the title."

After making a flying start to the season over the weekend, Zhou Guanyu is just one step away from becoming China's first Formula 1 driver.

"My goal is clear－try to become an F1 driver for the 2022 season," the 21-year-old told China Daily in an exclusive interview after winning the Asian Formula 3 Championship.

"Now I need to have better performances in the coming F2 season. I have to prove to everyone that I have what it takes to drive in F1."

Saturday's triumph at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit earned Zhou 18 crucial FIA super license points, taking his total to 38. Drivers need to accumulate at least 40 points over a three-year period to be granted a super license, which is a prerequisite for entry into F1.

As a member of the young driver academy at F1's Alpine team, Zhou is now tantalizingly close to realizing his lifelong dream.

"I'm really satisfied with my performance at the Asian F3 Championship. My rivals were really strong and the F3 car frame is very different to the F2 car," explained Zhou, who was competing for Abu Dhabi Racing by Prema.

"I had to adjust my driving style, so it was challenging for me. Some might think it's easy for an F2 driver to drive an F3 car, but actually it's not."

Zhou has emerged as China's brightest motor-racing star in recent seasons. After an encouraging rookie F2 season, when he finished seventh overall, Zhou's reputation continued to grow last year with six podium finishes and a breakthrough pole-to-flag victory in Russia, en route to a sixth-place finish in the overall standings.

Now the ambitious Shanghai native is eyeing more improvements in his third F2 campaign.

"After winning the F3 title, I'm very close to getting my super license, so that could ease the pressure on me for the coming F2 season," Zhou said.

"However, no matter what championship I'm competing in, there are still many uncertainties.

"Despite all the difficulties ahead, I will try my best in the new F2 season. I will push as hard as I can and become a genuine title contender. I will show my strength and produce my best performances."

With the COVID-19 pandemic presenting plenty of logistical and travel issues for Zhou, he could have been forgiven for taking it easy in the offseason. The youngster, though, barely took his foot off the gas as he attempts to maintain his impressive momentum.

"During the offseason, I only returned to China for a month. Apart from the medical quarantine, I stayed at home for just two weeks before heading to Abu Dhabi to compete. This was the shortest vacation I've had in recent years," said Zhou.

"After the F3 championship, I will start my preparation for the F2 season. Preseason testing starts in early March, so I need to maintain peak condition."

Despite his young years, experience has taught Zhou that circumstances beyond his control can sometimes make motor racing a frustrating business.

"I encountered technical problems in the first race of 2020, and they kept reoccurring for the rest of the season. But all those setbacks made me a more mature driver," said Zhou.

"I hope I can have better luck in 2021 and show my real speed. Last season's sixth-place finish was not a true reflection of my best. My goal is to at least have a top-three finish this year and I'll try my best to win the championship."

And although he didn't quite meet his own impeccably high standards last year, Zhou reckons the victory in Russia was something of a watershed moment in his career.

"It took quite a lot of pressure off my shoulders," Zhou told fiaformula2.com. "I said before the season, even in my rookie campaign, that I wanted that first victory.

"I had come close a number of times, like in Austria at the start of the season or at Monza when we were flying through the field before I had a technical issue. Getting the win takes the pressure off my shoulders.

"I wouldn't say the pressure really affected me a lot, but it was frustrating because we got to the middle of the season and we were still having bad luck.

"Failures, crashes, whatever, and it was such a tight championship, so one bad result had a big effect on the title."