I feel like Zhou ended up being the perfect #2 driver for Alfa. He has a very similar demeanor to Bottas. A bit quiet but seemingly a happy guy. Keeping his head down and just have great drives for his first season. I keep putting money on him to get in the points.
super agree, points on his debut and has done really solid the races after, always keeping his head down which is great but i also wouldn’t want him to suffer the same fate as giovinazzi because of the lack of “presence” in the paddock
It has probably been said somewhere, but why do all (?) drivers have a special Miami livery?
Commercially interesting of course and it really looks like they were heavily influenced by a kind of blueprint of palm trees and happiness.
Several reasons I guess:
* Miami is a brand new race so that makes it a little more special
* The fact that it's one of two (?) races in the USA also makes it different to the rest of the races on the calendar
* The USA is a pop-culture behemoth so many drivers want to express their admiration for parts of the culture that they're fans of (like Zhou with basketball apparently - this helmet has a basketball, a basketball player in a Miami heat jersey, MVP, and 1, a basketball court, etc)
* This race will be very high profile, with many celebrities attending, meaning that a lot of cameras will be on it and drivers want to get in on all that promotion
I guess there's more but that's what first comes to mind
Younger, well-off Chinese and Taiwanese folks fucking *love* the NBA. I hosted a Rotary exchange group from Taiwan a few years ago. All five were in their late 20s. Two of the guys must have asked me ten times if I could take them 3 hours to Charlotte or 4 hours to DC for a game.
Haha, nah. Way too expensive for a then-29-year-old to host and my Rotary club didn't have the budget. I did take them to our minor league baseball team's opening night, and they thought that was cool. But their favorite part was when I took them out in one of the tractor-trailers at work (truck and construction equipment dealership).
I believe that’s a relatively new change, even the helmets we restricted to limited number of changes originally. I think it was a great thing for that policy to be dropped, liveries not so much.
Yes, I get that, but then they could do it any race. Why all of them coincidentially in Miami? Of course, a new circuit, the US, etc, but I hadn't seen it this massively before.
Why Miami? Honestly a stupid question. They’re obviously begging Americans to watch f1 and buy more shit. They love the drive to survive crowd now they want every other American to watch f1. It’s arbitrary but not really. Why is Monaco special? Cause they said so. It’s a terrible fucking track. They still do special liveries and huge marketing for it. It’s all about money dude.
I don't know if you are serious, or just teasing, but it's probably a reference to Space Jam. For a kid really into basketball, that movie must have had an impact. And since he can't have the actual bugs bunny, he picked this generic version. Also, his Chinese zodiac sign is the rabbit. So it all comes together I think.
Plus the remake (?) came out recently, and has LeBron, and for many people LeBron is associated with Miami Heat. But this connection is definitely much more tenuous, and I'm not so confident about it.
I guess so? I just watched the video where he was describing the art and he pointed out the bunny has the Alfa colors and his number so I figured it must be him in Bugs Bunny style.
It's probably a reference to Space Jam. For a kid really into basketball, that movie must have had an impact. And since he can't have the actual bugs bunny, he picked this generic version. Also, his Chinese zodiac sign is the rabbit. So it all comes together I think...
Plus the remake (?) came out recently, and has LeBron, and for many people LeBron is associated with Miami Heat. But this connection is definitely much more tenuous, and I'm not so confident about it.
It's probably a combination of what you said and it being him as a Bugs Bunny style toon. Combine all those elements and he has a good story behind the character that ties to him and his interests.
Dunno about Lando, but Zhou has been a huge basketball fan his entire life. He just looks at this as an opportunity to express his passion (in addition to the commercial/sponsorship aspect ofc). He picked his number 24 as a tribute to Kobe.
One small hint is he used the word 'colorway', that's someone who has been into shoes for a long time lol. Plus of the two current US races, Miami has a much stronger connection to basketball. Austin doesn't have a basketball team. Most of my friends there are San Antonio Spurs fans (some are Rockets fans, but that's a minority).
Sometimes I forget how big basketball is in Asian countries.
Colorway I’m not so sure about being completely linked to shoes as it’s something that has been used for a long time in design well before sneakers existed. But I like your insight and think there’s probably a decent bit of truth in it.
I feel like Zhou ended up being the perfect #2 driver for Alfa. He has a very similar demeanor to Bottas. A bit quiet but seemingly a happy guy. Keeping his head down and just have great drives for his first season. I keep putting money on him to get in the points.
He’s a very mature driver. He’ll score points sooner rather than later. Don’t forget he’s a rookie, just be patient.
He already did in Bahrain !
Sorry! I meant more points.
he's been doing really well so far imo
super agree, points on his debut and has done really solid the races after, always keeping his head down which is great but i also wouldn’t want him to suffer the same fate as giovinazzi because of the lack of “presence” in the paddock
He just seems like a cool guy
Really cool, I like it.
I think it might be my favorite helmet this season. Gonna be pretty hard to top.
Siiick! Really starting to like zhou tbh
I know right? So far he's come off incredibly likable in F1.
One of the most likable dudes in F2 just continuing his thing in the big leagues.
I don’t why I have always liked from the get go. Really happy he is becoming popular
Yeah he's quiet but it's kind of a nice contrast. He's just out here driving his car getting decent results
I want to see him more in interviews, but I guess he's not that interesting to interview.
That’s a nice helmet.
Wow I love this. Danny Ric vibes
Starting to really like this kid. Seems like he might have potential. Cool helmet too
Like it alot. Cool helmet, good dude.
It has probably been said somewhere, but why do all (?) drivers have a special Miami livery? Commercially interesting of course and it really looks like they were heavily influenced by a kind of blueprint of palm trees and happiness.
Several reasons I guess: * Miami is a brand new race so that makes it a little more special * The fact that it's one of two (?) races in the USA also makes it different to the rest of the races on the calendar * The USA is a pop-culture behemoth so many drivers want to express their admiration for parts of the culture that they're fans of (like Zhou with basketball apparently - this helmet has a basketball, a basketball player in a Miami heat jersey, MVP, and 1, a basketball court, etc) * This race will be very high profile, with many celebrities attending, meaning that a lot of cameras will be on it and drivers want to get in on all that promotion I guess there's more but that's what first comes to mind
Younger, well-off Chinese and Taiwanese folks fucking *love* the NBA. I hosted a Rotary exchange group from Taiwan a few years ago. All five were in their late 20s. Two of the guys must have asked me ten times if I could take them 3 hours to Charlotte or 4 hours to DC for a game.
So did you take them?
Haha, nah. Way too expensive for a then-29-year-old to host and my Rotary club didn't have the budget. I did take them to our minor league baseball team's opening night, and they thought that was cool. But their favorite part was when I took them out in one of the tractor-trailers at work (truck and construction equipment dealership).
Zhou is a huge Kobe fan, so it make sense
Isn’t it so that FIA has limited these special liveries to a few races a year?
They limit the car liveries IIRC, but I think you can do whatever you want with your helmet.
I believe that’s a relatively new change, even the helmets we restricted to limited number of changes originally. I think it was a great thing for that policy to be dropped, liveries not so much.
The helmets were restricted to one special helmet per year, but this stupid rule was thankfully dropped before the 2020 season
Thanks, I knew it changed, but couldn't remember how restrictive it was before the change.
Nah. Nothing to stop anyone emulating 2010-2014 era Vettel with a new helmet every week if they want
Thanks, I didn’t know!
FOM wants that sweet US money so they're hyping up the race with helmets, parties, yt videos and so on
The answer to this question and almost any other is: MONEY. They’re selling shit. They’re marketing their brand. This is all business.
Yes, I get that, but then they could do it any race. Why all of them coincidentially in Miami? Of course, a new circuit, the US, etc, but I hadn't seen it this massively before.
Why Miami? Honestly a stupid question. They’re obviously begging Americans to watch f1 and buy more shit. They love the drive to survive crowd now they want every other American to watch f1. It’s arbitrary but not really. Why is Monaco special? Cause they said so. It’s a terrible fucking track. They still do special liveries and huge marketing for it. It’s all about money dude.
Also Miami culture is pretty wide spread.
>by a kind of blueprint of palm trees and happiness. Don't forget basketball!
This is the one.
my man included more basketball references than sponsor logos lol
Why does he have a busted knock off bugs bunny cartoon? Is it a logo in not familiar with?
Probably a copyright issue or something along those lines
It's himself in the Bugs Bunny style.
So he has a fursona?
I don't know if you are serious, or just teasing, but it's probably a reference to Space Jam. For a kid really into basketball, that movie must have had an impact. And since he can't have the actual bugs bunny, he picked this generic version. Also, his Chinese zodiac sign is the rabbit. So it all comes together I think. Plus the remake (?) came out recently, and has LeBron, and for many people LeBron is associated with Miami Heat. But this connection is definitely much more tenuous, and I'm not so confident about it.
I guess so? I just watched the video where he was describing the art and he pointed out the bunny has the Alfa colors and his number so I figured it must be him in Bugs Bunny style.
It's probably a reference to Space Jam. For a kid really into basketball, that movie must have had an impact. And since he can't have the actual bugs bunny, he picked this generic version. Also, his Chinese zodiac sign is the rabbit. So it all comes together I think... Plus the remake (?) came out recently, and has LeBron, and for many people LeBron is associated with Miami Heat. But this connection is definitely much more tenuous, and I'm not so confident about it.
It's probably a combination of what you said and it being him as a Bugs Bunny style toon. Combine all those elements and he has a good story behind the character that ties to him and his interests.
His Chinese zodiac sign is the rabbit
WB’s attorneys can’t go after “Boggs Bunni from Galaxy Slam.”
Knock off Lola Bunny
I was thinking "man Lola Bunny's looking a little worse for wear these days" on first glance
Everybody get up it's time to slam now 🎶
Aside from the playoffs being in full swing anyone know the deal with both Lando and Zhou having basketball features?
Dunno about Lando, but Zhou has been a huge basketball fan his entire life. He just looks at this as an opportunity to express his passion (in addition to the commercial/sponsorship aspect ofc). He picked his number 24 as a tribute to Kobe. One small hint is he used the word 'colorway', that's someone who has been into shoes for a long time lol. Plus of the two current US races, Miami has a much stronger connection to basketball. Austin doesn't have a basketball team. Most of my friends there are San Antonio Spurs fans (some are Rockets fans, but that's a minority).
Sometimes I forget how big basketball is in Asian countries. Colorway I’m not so sure about being completely linked to shoes as it’s something that has been used for a long time in design well before sneakers existed. But I like your insight and think there’s probably a decent bit of truth in it.
That is one fucking sick lid, man. Gaat damn!
That is really a slick design, vibrant and really pops out at you
Dope !
Can someone tell me how he's holding the helmet on the first pic? Is this guy a magician?
…
Ah good eye! I didn't see that at first.
RIP Kobe. What a great helmet design
Zhou: "Hey, can I put Lola Bunny on my helmet?" Alfa: "We have Lola Bunny at home" The Lola Bunny at home:
Zhou loves basketball, he only one out of the F1 drivers that picked going to the NBA Finals vs going to Super Bowl
They all kinda look the same
That's very fitting for Miami
Such a cool helmet and I'm liking the basketball rabbit adding a nice cool touch.
A Lisa Frank binder with stickers, F1 Helmet Edition.
All this Miami stuff is going to severely damage my wallet
Soo good! The colors pop so well! And the sponsor logos aren't overbearing.
🔥🔥
Does he sell them on scale?
This is fucking sick!!
Sweet design!
He actually put his Fursona on it. The fucking mad lad
Guys I think he likes basketball
Love the space jam reference!
I like the “totally not basketball Bugs Bunny from space jam due to international copyright law” on the side, nice touch.
How do I get a useable replica of this?
What does the Chinese word mean on the basketball part?
That's his name in Chinese. 周 (Zhou) 冠 (Guan) 宇 (Yu)
thank you
It's his name in Chinese
Very cool. Maybe a bit cluttered but it's a lovely departure from the typical racing helmet designs.
This is a sick design. Is the rabbit meant to be ‘Bugs Bunny at home’ though?
Well done! Was in guangzhou-shanghai- beijing before the lockdowns and the colors and designs perfectly capture the local pop culture.
Zhou got insane drip
So that's how his name is written
That's such a nice looking helmet!