Listen to this article Zhou moved into F1 this year after three seasons racing in Formula 2, securing a drive alongside Valtteri Bottas as part of Alfa Romeo’s refreshed driver line-up. Alfa Romeo acknowledged that the backing Zhou brought from Chinese sponsors as the nation’s first F1 driver was one element of its decision to sign him, but pointed to his track record that took him to third in F2 last year. But Zhou sent a message to any critics writing him off by reaching Q2 for Alfa Romeo in Bahrain, before fighting back from a poor start to finish 10th, scoring a debut point. “I think once I signed the contract last season, for some reason people had some different thoughts about me being in Formula 1,” Zhou said. “But in my mind, I think I have done everything I need to do to have a seat in F1. This season, I wanted to get into Q2 so I can close their mouths. Today I’m just so relieved, as I went from P15 to P10, but it was more like P20 to P10. “I think that is the best answer. I don’t talk too much trash, but I will just focus on my job.” Guanyu Zhou, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images Zhou was visibly emotional upon getting out of …