REVVING INTO THE RECKONING

Like most sports, Formula 1 has not been immune to the logistical and financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many teams feeling the pinch to trigger a number of lineup changes that could ultimately benefit China's Zhou Guanyu.

Sebastian Vettel is set to leave Ferrari at the end of the 2020 season, with McLaren's Carlos Sainz to succeed the German. In turn, Sainz's McLaren spot will be filled by Renault's Daniel Ricciardo, leaving a vacancy at the French manufacturer's team.

That presents a window of opportunity for promising Formula 2 star Zhou, who as Renault's test driver is tantalizingly close to becoming China's first F1 driver.

After the pandemic put the brakes on March's season-opener in Australia, F1 recently announced dates for the opening eight races of the 2020 calendar, starting with a doubleheader at the Red Bull Ring in Austria in early July.

Zhou has returned to Renault from his Shanghai home to prepare the coming season. The 21-year-old, however, is not letting speculation about his potential promotion distract him from the task at hand.

"Right now, I'm focused on what I'm doing now, which is to fight for a better ranking in F2," said Zhou during an exclusive interview with China Daily last week.

"For sure, if there's a chance, I hope to seize the opportunity.

"It will depend on my performance this season in F2. So my priority is to improve my results in F2, so I can move forward toward my goal."

Zhou, who signed with the Renault Sport Academy in January 2019 and has already gained some F1 experience as a development driver, earned the test-drive spot in Renault following an impressive debut season in F2 last year.

He finished seventh overall to claim F2's best rookie title in a highly encouraging campaign that included five podiums and one pole position. That helped his UNI-Virtuosi outfit to finish second in the team standings.

Under FIA regulations, Zhou needs to finish in the top four of the 2020 F2 championship in order to be eligible for a 'super license'－a requirement for all F1 race drivers.

Zhou is, therefore, raring to get back on the track and hit his targets.

"I'm excited to start the race in July ... During the pandemic, I kept doing physical training to maintain my condition. I hope I can embrace the start of the new season in my best form," said Zhou.

Amid the sport's shutdown, participating in online e-sports races was the only option for Zhou to sit behind the steering wheel and compete on F1 tracks－albeit virtual ones.

The Chinese star again showed his talent in motor sport's digital domain by beating a number of reallife F1 drivers to win the virtual Bahrain Grand Prix in March for Renault.

A month later, Zhou ranked third at the virtual Chinese Grand Prix in April behind second-place Alex Albon of Red Bull and winner Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.

"The e-sports simulator is still very different from real driving," Zhou told China Daily. "It's a video game, so you won't feel the centrifugal force that you do in real racing... But the advantage of it is that the game is for everyone. Not only the pro drivers, all F1 lovers can have fun together. I was thrilled to stand on the podium in the virtual Chinese Grand Prix."

Having resumed training with Renault in the UK, Zhou reported no post-lockdown rustiness, having stayed active at home in recent months.

"It didn't feel strange to return to the team. During the pandemic, I had a conference call with the team two or three times a week. I also had to live-broadcast my fitness training to them," said Zhou.

"Also, for the past year, I have had great cooperation with the team. I'm close friends with many people in the team, so we still have a great connection despite not seeing each other for a long time."

Zhou has certainly fitted in well at Renault. Alongside his F2 commitments, he is regularly a part of the team's pit crew at F1 races, with his input assisting in developments to the car.

Unlike Ferrari and McLaren, who have already confirmed their 2021 lineups, Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul has yet to decide on who will line up alongside Esteban Ocon on the grid next year.

"We want to take the time to make sure we make the right decision," Abiteboul told media last month.

"I'm a bit disappointed because I don't think you can build anything without stability. That goes for drivers, but frankly that's also true for the rest of the organization.

"We had a lot of changes last year: 70 percent of our staff have seen a change of management or structure to their department－a new technical director, new head of aero (aerodynamics), a new engineering director."

Those comments suggest that Abiteboul is keen to promote from within, giving Zhou a perfect opportunity to put his foot on the accelerator and prove his credentials.