Damon Hill sends encouraging message to Zhou Guanyu after social media abuse

Follow us on Google Discover

Damon Hill has sent encouraging words to Chinese Formula 1 driver Zhou Guanyu after he revealed that he was the subject of abuse on social media.

Zhou Guanyu became China’s first full-time F1 driver in 2022 when he graduated from Formula 2 to race with Sauber.

He finally got to experience his first home race this year, after F1 returned to China for the first time since the 2019 season due to COVID. Zhou received a welcome response, with Will Buxton saying he never heard ‘anything like’ the reception from fans in the stands.

But it has not been the easiest ride for Zhou. After being announced as a replacement for Antonio Giovinazzi at the end of 2021, he received a lot of criticism on social media due to his performances in the feeder category before making it to F1.

In an interview with The Race, Zhou opened up about the abuse and compared it to the reception Oliver Bearman received when he was announced as a driver for Haas in 2025. 1996 World Champion, Damon Hill, sent Zhou a message in a post on his Instagram Stories regarding the abuse.

Damon Hill sends Zhou Guanyu words of encouragement

Hill has previously sent encouraging messages to drivers on his social media channels, most recently calling Lando Norris a ‘top bloke’ after he won his first race at the Miami GP.

In this post, he took aim at the ‘bullies’ who were sending hateful messages to Zhou and offered some encouragement to the Chinese driver.

“Abuse is enabled by social media. Most of those doing the abusing are miserable cowards who wouldn’t dare say such things to one’s face. To pick on a young person is bullying. I hate bullies,” said Hill.

“But sadly there is always preference in sport. Especially in F1 where fan reaction is a real factor in shaping one’s career. It’s too early to recognise it, but Zhou, you have left your mark. Do not despair. It will all make sense eventually.”

Zhou Guanyu faces fight to save F1 seat

Zhou is currently on a run of 19 race weekends without scoring a point in F1, largely owing to the disastrous start to the season for Sauber in 2024.

The F1 driver market has been moving at a fast pace this year, with limited seats available for 2025 and beyond. Zhou is one of the free agents available at the end of the season, although it appears there is no team keen to take up his services.

READ MORE: Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu’s life outside F1 from height to net worth

After Esteban Ocon left, Zhou was tipped as a potential candidate for the drive at Alpine when recently appointed team advisor Flavio Briatore said a deal with the Chinese driver could help pay for their Mercedes engine deal.

Jack Doohan has since emerged as the most likely candidate at Alpine, given his experience with the team behind the scenes having taken part in multiple tests this year.

One report claimed that Zhou can offer teams £27 million for a 2025 seat, although his form on track is doing little to sway potential takers.