Zhou Guanyu finished a season-high P8 in Qatar, earning an important 4 points for his team who were two weekends away from ending the season point-less.

Speaking to F1TV after the race, Zhou said: “It’s been a mentally draining season for myself and Valtteri… It’s a relief [to earn the points]. Happy is not the word, relief is the word. Since Vegas, I feel a lot more comfortable.”

Zhou’s performance earned admiration from fans as he was voted driver of the day, he said: “[It’s not been] an easy season, a lot of changes in the team mid season and then putting the car when we needed to. The pace was strong. I didn’t know I was driver of the day until the TV pen. Thanks to the fans.”

Zhou is set to leave the Formula 1 grid as his contract with Sauber expires at the end of this season, speaking on his future he said: “We’ve come such a long way throughout the season… I think nobody remembers your first race, everyone remembers your last race. I want to enjoy the last race and show everyone what I can do.”

Zhou’s teammate Valtteri Bottas also came close to earning points in the Grand Prix, finishing just outside of the points-positions in P11 after Lando Norris overtook him in the closing stages. Though the four points won’t move Sauber up the standings as they are 13 points behind Williams in P9, no doubt the team will be relieved to have something to show on the board for all of their efforts in 2024.