Revved-up Zhou seeks perfect formula

Learning curve

Zhou's flying start to his F1 career suggests glory awaits the young driver, however there's still a steep learning curve ahead as he aims for the F1 podium.

This season's new technical regulations mean Zhou is making his debut in machinery that is similarly unfamiliar to his rivals.

With Zhou's raw talent and the competitiveness of the Alfa Romeo C42 car, fans have every reason to believe a podium finish may not be too far off. Zhou and the team, it seems, are daring to dream, too.

"To be honest, there's excitement in the team, throughout the whole paddock. As the only rookie, there will be extra stuff to get used to, to be learned quickly. (Even with the new cars) the guys already on the grid have the experience, but I have to try to straightaway be at my best and to compete against them. That's the most challenging task," Zhou told formula1.com.

"But apart from that, it's nice to be entering Formula 1 at the start of a new era, where there are big question marks about which team will perform well. I think the biggest challenge for us as a team is trying to find the right direction to move forward throughout the year, to develop toward a better and better car."

After three impressive F2 seasons, Zhou was named China's first F1 driver in December, and the step up in class has been a real eye-opener.