Zhou Guanyu Joins Ferrari as Reserve Driver for 2025 After Sauber Exit
Zhou Guanyu will stay throughout the Method 1 paddock in 2025, having secured a job as Ferrari’s reserve driver following his departure from Sauber on the finish of the 2024 season. The Chinese language driver was launched as a part of Sauber’s restructuring, regardless of being the one driver to attain factors for the struggling group final 12 months. His eighth-place end in Qatar was a uncommon spotlight for the Hinwil-based squad, whereas teammate Valtteri Bottas didn’t register any factors, leaving Sauber on the backside of the Constructors’ Championship.
Each Zhou and Bottas in the end misplaced their seats however discovered new properties throughout the F1 ecosystem, with Zhou becoming a member of Ferrari and Bottas taking over a reserve position at Mercedes. Initially, Zhou was rumored to be in talks with Red Bull, however when the Milton Keynes outfit opted in opposition to signing him, Ferrari seized the chance to carry the 25-year-old to Maranello. His transfer to the Scuderia was met with enthusiasm from F1 followers, particularly given Lewis Hamilton’s previous reward for Zhou, describing him as “actually nice.”
As Ferrari’s reserve driver, Zhou will concentrate on simulator work and supply essential help to the group all through the 2025 season. He could even get an opportunity to step into the cockpit ought to both Hamilton or Charles Leclerc be unable to race. Nonetheless, Ferrari had initially envisioned a extra lively position for Zhou past his F1 commitments.
Fred Vasseur ’s Ambition for Zhou in WEC Blocked by Monetary Constraints
Ferrari has a protracted historical past of involving its reserve drivers in different racing classes, significantly endurance racing. Antonio Giovinazzi, for example, has been competing within the World Endurance Championship (WEC) for Ferrari since 2023. Crew principal Fred Vasseur was keen to put Zhou in the same program, hoping to maintain him race-sharp by securing a seat for him in Ferrari’s endurance racing efforts.
Fred Vasseur reportedly engaged in discussions with Antonello Coletta, the pinnacle of Ferrari’s endurance division, to combine Zhou into the WEC program for 2025. Nonetheless, monetary hurdles prevented the plan from materializing, forcing Zhou to focus completely on his duties as Ferrari’s F1 reserve driver as an alternative.
Zhou Units Sights on F1 Comeback with Cadillac in 2026
At simply 25, Zhou is much from contemplating his F1 profession over. His objective stays to safe a full-time race seat in 2026, and he has already set his sights on a possible alternative with Cadillac. The American producer is getting ready to enter the grid because the eleventh group in 2026, although its official entry remains to be pending approval. If Cadillac efficiently joins the championship, Zhou hopes to be a part of their lineup, marking his return to full-time racing on the highest degree.
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