Zhou Guanyu gave a considerably higher account of himself in his second season in Formulation 1 alongside Valtteri Bottas final 12 months. Nevertheless that modest progress has not continued this 12 months and, at a group which can substitute at the least certainly one of its drivers subsequent 12 months, it’s exhausting to make a case for them to proceed with Zhou.
Bottas’ one-lap tempo has been persistently higher than his group mate’s. Though the hole narrowed barely final 12 months Zhou has often ended up behind this 12 months.
Zhou’s race performances had been markedly stronger final 12 months, and on this respect he’s persevering with to carry out pretty effectively towards his extra skilled group mate. Nevertheless each drivers face the identical drawback that the Sauber has seldom if ever been a factors contender.
The group is working exhausting to repair this and over the earlier two races Bottas has had the good thing about the newest elements. As soon as the pair converge on specs we might lastly see the 2 vivid inexperienced vehicles within the hunt for factors.
Whether or not Zhou could make the step from there to ship the sort of outcomes he wants stays to be seen. However on the power of his performances to date this 12 months he seems to have plateaued barely under the extent a group would need.
That’s a troubling scenario for him, as Sauber has already inked a take care of Nico Hulkenberg for subsequent 12 months. Which means its present drivers are vying for the only remaining seat, and to date Zhou appears just like the one almost certainly to overlook out.
Bottas vs Zhou: Season abstract
Bottas vs Zhou: Race-by-race
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Detrimental worth: Bottas was sooner; Optimistic worth: Guanyu was sooner
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