Guanyu Zhou has admitted that in his closing season with the Audi-owned Sauber staff, he “misplaced hope” about his future in Method 1.
Guanyu Zhou has admitted that in his closing season with the Audi-owned Sauber staff, he “misplaced hope” about his future in Method 1.
The primary-ever Chinese language driver in F1 spent three years with the Hinwil-based outfit after making his debut in 2022. Nevertheless, like teammate Valtteri Bottas, he was changed on the finish of final season.
For 2025, Zhou is making a return to Ferrari, the place he was beforehand a part of the junior driver academy earlier than getting into Method 1.
This yr, he’ll function a reserve driver alongside Antonio Giovinazzi.
The 25-year-old revealed that competing in his residence race in Shanghai final season was the standout second of his profession and life, particularly after the disruptions attributable to the Covid period.
“Final yr I lastly had the possibility to race at residence,” he instructed Chinese language media this week, “however sadly we had the slowest automobile from the beginning of the season and could not even combat within the midfield.”
As a complete, Zhou described 2024 as a “season I would prefer to neglect”.
“In the beginning issues appeared okay, however after our pitstop points have been resolved I discovered myself within the slowest automobile on the grid. Then, after a protracted time frame, I misplaced hope for the longer term.”
Regardless of that, Zhou continues to be decided to work in the direction of securing a return to the Method 1 grid.
“I’ve not but reached my full potential,” he insists.
“So I am nonetheless working in the direction of the longer term now and there are a number of rookies on the grid this yr so something can occur. I am all the time accessible and able to take any alternative.”
