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To understand the step backwards Alfa Romeo has taken since final yr, and the change within the stability of energy between their two drivers, you want solely have a look at their scores.
Zhou Guanyu has taken 4 factors up to now, simply two fewer than he managed throughout his rookie marketing campaign final season. However staff mate Valtteri Bottas’ tally of six in contrast a lot much less favourably to the 49 he tallied final yr.
When Alfa Romeo began the season strongly final yr, Bottas did most of their points-scoring whereas Zhou discovered his ft. By the second half of the yr Zhou had raised his recreation and over the ultimate 10 races the qualifying scoreline between them was even. However by then factors had been more durable to return by.
Having overwhelmed Aston Martin to sixth place within the championship final yr by the narrowest of margins, quickly after 2023 started the staff realised it might overlook about beating them once more this yr. Barring a post-summer break miracle, seventh place appears to be like just like the restrict of its ambitions for now.
When Zhou bought the nod for a 2022 drive some questioned why he had discovered a seat extra simply then fellow Alpine junior Oscar Piastri who had simply received the Method 2 title. Piastri’s first half-season with McLaren this yr has gone effectively, however Zhou has additionally begun to sway the doubters by getting on phrases together with his skilled, race-winning staff mate.
Bar the odd dip, Zhou’s qualifying efficiency have measured up effectively towards his staff mate’s. He’s raced effectively too and solely scored one level much less. Half of these got here in Melbourne, the place he benefited from staying out of hassle within the mess on the finish of the race, and arguably deserved to attain extra extremely.
Whereas Bottas nonetheless retains an higher hand, it’s not of the order which is likely to be anticipated from a driver with such a profitable CV. To exhibit he deserves to return to a prime staff, or stay at this one when it transitions into Audi’s works outfit, he wants to say himself over his more and more spectacular younger staff mate.
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Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Bottas was quicker; Constructive worth: Guanyu was quicker
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2023 F1 season
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