Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Speaking at the FIA Press Conference ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix Zhou Guanyu talked his F1 future
Two more pieces of the 2025 Formula 1 driver grid were put into place on Thursday. Alpine announced a new “multi-year” deal with Pierre Gasly, and Aston Martin confirmed a long-expected deal with Lance Stroll that extends into 2025 “and beyond.”
That news means that 12 of the 20 seats for the 2025 are now solidified, leaving just eight spots remaining on the grid. And for a few drivers waiting on their own futures, that means perhaps some more restless nights.
Zhou Guanyu is one of those drivers.
The Sauber driver is set to see his contract with the team expire at the end of the 2024 season, and with the team already announcing a deal with Nico Hülkenberg for next year, only one seat is available for 2025. That could put Zhou in a position where he is fighting with his current teammate Valtteri Bottas for that spot, but with that seat at Sauber one of the eight seats remaining, there could be other options for the team.
And more competition for Zhou.
Speaking at Thursday’s FIA Press Conference Zhou was asked about his future, and his options. The driver outlined that in his mind, he wants to stay in Formula 1.
“For me, no. I’m just talking to the F1 teams currently. So it’s very clear. But of course, [the World Endurance Challenge is] interesting also as a championship,” said Zhou. “But for me, at the moment, it’s not an option there at the moment. So nothing more to add.”
Zhou also indicated that he would be willing to take a position as a reserve driver, if it meant remaining in F1.
However, he would want to make sure a return to the grid would be an option.
“I mean, if it comes to the case, obviously you need to see exactly where the whole project [is going], because I think to be a reserve driver would be interesting if they can promise a seat is available for the coming seasons,” added Zhou. “I think that would be still something I can take, but otherwise you need to see exactly where I want to, of course, be heading over, because I don’t want to be, of course, once you take that role, some drivers never come back, which is not the case I wanted to be at.”
