Home hero Zhou expects 'mix of emotions' on Chinese GP debut

Shanghai: China s Zhou Guanyu said Thursday that he will experience a mix of emotions when he finally races his first grand prix on his home track a...

Shanghai: China's Zhou Guanyu said Thursday that he will experience a "mix of emotions" when he finally races his first grand prix on his home track at the weekend.

The first full-time F1 driver from China has been elevated to superstar status in his homeland with his image plastered all over Shanghai, the city he hails from.

Grand prix racing is returning to China for the first time in five years after previous editions were cancelled because of the pandemic.

"It's been crazy over the last week and a half since I came back from Japan," said Sauber's Zhou, who has been on an endless series of interviews, promotions and fan sessions.

"I can't wait. I know there's going to be a mix of emotions going into this weekend," the 24-year-old told reporters.