A cat might be the last thing you think about when it comes to the fast-paced world of Formula 1, but for Zhou Guanyu it’s right up near the very top.
The Chinese driver has created somewhat of a viral sensation with his pet cat Sweetcorn, who not only has amassed more than 60,000 Instagram followers, but has inspired her own line of merchandise.
Speaking to The Roar in the Austin paddock ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Zhou said he has loved being able to show off his new feline friend to the world.
“I love her and everything about her,” he said. “I want to able to have a platform that I can have a memory about her growing and her story and life since the first time I got her, and then to the future.
“I just feel it is great when you scroll over again in the future when she is like five or six years old.
“On the other side I think what people love about her is she’s really smart and behaves well. So it is good. She has this human-like understanding about things, what not to do and what to do.
“It’s just great to be able to have her around.”
Zhou released a special range of Sweetcorn merchandise for last month’s Singapore Grand Prix which promptly sold out.
(Photo by Getty Images)
The design was partly designed by Zhou himself, who hand drew the Chinese letters which appeared on the back of the hoodies which featured an animated picture of Sweetcorn driving a Formula 1 car.
“I love designing stuff,” Zhou said. “I was able to have that first merch with a lot of impact. It was great.”
Zhou is currently without a drive for 2025, with the 25-year-old one of several contenders for the open seat at his current team of Kick Sauber.
His teammate Valtteri Bottas is battling for the same seat, with the pair showcasing somewhat of a bromance over their two years together at the team.
This was on clear display earlier this season in Australia, with Zhou running a special tribute helmet for Bottas and his love for all things Australian and Aussie culture.
“He is starting to really turn into an Aussie guy,” Zhou said. “He’s Finnish, but he suits the (Aussie) style.
“I wanted to make a special helmet because I love going to Australia and I love Melbourne and Albert Park.
“I see a lot of fans supporting also on that weekend so that’s why I want to have a special helmet there.
“It’s been some amazing years spending with him. He’s a very quick driver that I can learn so much information from.”
He said that battling it out with Bottas for the last remaining seat on the grid in 2025 was difficult, but part of the sport.
“There’s still one seat remaining open…and nothing has been decided,” he said. “We are making conversations more and more together…so nothing for me to overthink.
“Of course between me and Valtteri only one guy can be staying, so it’s kind of difficult as we’ve been having a great relationship together as teammates.
“But this is the sport, so we try to give everything we have individually and try to show what’s needed.”
This article was originally written for The Roar. You can read the published version here
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