Zhou Guanyu eyes being the height of fashion post F1 career
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Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu has garnered four points going into Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
PHOTO: AFP
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SPIELBERG – China’s first-ever Formula One driver Zhou Guanyu wants to make his mark on the circuit, but he said on Thursday that he would also like to forge a career in fashion when he retires.
The 24-year-old Alfa Romeo driver has garnered only four points going into Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix in what is his second season among the elite.
His outfits have caught the eye more than his performances on the track and, having taken time out at Paris Fashion Week recently, he fielded more questions at Thursday’s press conference about that than his hopes for this weekend’s race.
“I had an enjoyable time there,” he said of his trip to Paris.
“I am not retiring any time soon and racing is my main focus for the moment.
“But I have a high interest in fashion, as my mother used to be a designer. Being in Formula One gives me a good platform for me to launch into fashion.
“So I hope I can design some things in the future.”
For Zhou, though, the immediate challenge is to add some points to his and the team’s tally in Austria – something he is confident they can do.
Alfa Romeo are seventh in the constructors’ standings on nine points – teammate Valtteri Bottas has racked up five – and are ahead of rivals such as Haas and Williams.
“The car has gone better on high-speed tracks,” Zhou said. “We were pessimistic after the opening race in Bahrain, but it is good to be seen to be fighting it out more regularly for the final two points-carrying spots.”
The Chinese was not the only F1 driver who had attracted attention off the track.
Alpine driver Esteban Ocon is already reaping the rewards of Ryan Reynolds investing in the Renault-owned team after securing an invitation to join the Hollywood star during the filming of the movie Deadpool 3.
On Monday, it was announced that Reynolds, along with fellow actors Rob McElhenney and Michael B. Jordan, are among a group of investors who are taking a 24 per cent equity stake in the Enstone-based former world champions.
Ocon said he was a big fan of Marvel Comics and had made contact with Reynolds after the deal was announced.
“He told me I was invited on the set in London for the Deadpool movie, so I’m definitely going to be going,” he added.
“He also said he was looking forward to learn from our world, see how things work and just to have a racing chat.”
Reynolds and McElhenney are also owners of Welsh football club Wrexham, who returned to the English Football League as fifth-tier champions in April. AFP, REUTERS
