F1 Gossip: Stumbling block for Zhou in race for Alfa Romeo seat?

In the latest Formula 1 gossip column, Alfa Romeo is unprepared to give Guanyu Zhou a long-term deal with the team for 2022, while Stefano Domenicali is eyeing a third grand prix in America.

Connor McDonagh

07 Oct 2021

Guanyu Zhou (CHN) Alpine F1 Team Test Driver.
© xpbimages.com

- According to Blick, Guanyu Zhou - who is heavily tipped to partner Valtteri Bottas at Alfa Romeo in 2022 - wanted a three-year contract with the team.

With hot prospect Théo Pourchaire part of its junior team, Fred Vasseur isn’t keen to hand Zhou a long-term deal.

The report mentions Oscar Piastri as a potential alternative to Zhou, with the Alpine junior currently leading the F2 standings with two rounds to go.

- Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali hasn’t ruled out adding a third race in America to the calendar.

Speaking to SBJ, he said: “I would not discharge that possibility for sure.”

Las Vegas has been mooted as a potential venue.

- Domenicali also revealed that he tried to sign Lewis Hamilton when he was team principal of Ferrari.

In an interview with Sky Sports F1, the Italian explained: “To be honest, yes. This is true. We've discussed that.

“I think that the answer that Lewis was able to give is the right one. Today, I think that period has passed. There is a movie that for me sometimes is very important to remember: 'Sliding Doors'. There are moments where if you don't get into an elevator, you stay on the floor.

“I don't know. That was the situation that Lewis lived in that specific time of his life. I think that [we] cannot blame his choice, at least, because he did an incredible career.”

- Formula 1 driver steward Emanuele Pirro has explained how the backlash he received for awarding Sebastian Vettel a controversial penalty at the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix changed his life. (Beyond the Grid podcast)

- Daniel Ricciardo admitted that he's been impressed by fellow Australian Piastri.

“I’m really excited to see the likes of Oscar [Piastri] do well,” Ricciardo said when he was interviewed by McLaren teammate Lando Norris in Sochi. “I know what it was like for me when Mark Webber was in F1 and when I joined the grid he was still there, it was cool.

“It was really a cool feeling and obviously proud to represent Australia. And I think Oscar has really been on it this year, really good racecraft as well, so seems to have the whole package right now.”