Racing young gun Zhou Guanyu has made motor racing history after being named China's first Formula One driver.

Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN announced on Tuesday the 22-year-old will join their team for the 2022 season, with the opening race scheduled for the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain on March 20.

Zhou's teammate at Alfa Romeo will be Finnish racing veteran Valtteri Bottas, 32, who currently drives for Mercedes-AMG Petronas alongside seven-time world F1 champion Briton Lewis Hamilton.