Current driver linked to Ferrari’s reserve role in 2025

Current rumors in the paddock suggest that Zhou Guanyu is in line for a reserve role at Ferrari for the 2025 season. According to reports from the Italian media, especially Corriere della Sera, Zhou may be looking to make a move into the prestigious Italian stable after his had lost a full-time seat at Sauber. This chapter in Zhou’s racing career coincides with a shake-up in the driver market heading into next season.

Zhou has been part of the Sauber team since his debut in Formula 1 in 2022. However, the team’s decision to rebrand as Audi and revamp the driver line-up marked an end to his tenure. Fresh blood in the form of Gabriel Bortoleto, the current leader in the Formula 2 championship, and experienced driver Nico Hulkenberg will take over the German team. This decision inevitably led to Zhou and his teammate Valtteri Bottas looking for new roles within F1. Bottas is expected to secure a role as reserve driver at Mercedes in 2025.

The rumors surrounding Zhou’s possible return to Ferrari are of particular interest due to his long-standing ties with the team. From 2014 to 2018, Zhou was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, an association that raised hopes that he would act as a reserve driver in support of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. However, these speculations have recently been dampened by Ferrari’s official denial of his recruitment, as confirmed by the team to GPblog.

Speaking to Crash.net, Zhou said the following.

“If you don’t have a seat, the only way is to become a reserve driver and wait for opportunities,” he admitted.

The looming vacancy for the reserve driver role at Ferrari, after Oliver Bearman moved to a full-time seat at Haas, raised initial hopes for Zhou. However, with Ferrari having rejected such prospects for the Chinese driver, the team is now likely to compete for other candidates. Arthur Leclerc is a potential match for the team if things don’t work out with Zhou.

“Right now, I’m not talking to any other team about a reserve role because I think there will be plenty of opportunities,” Zhou said. “It really depends on what they have and what places other teams have available for the future,” Zhou added.

Given Leclerc and Hamilton’s robust lineup, the team’s reserve strategy will focus more on development and future potential than immediate replacement.

The future is unknown for Zhou, who will continue to fight to remain somewhat on the grid. His rich sponsorship opportunities will help him, but his performance so far will do him no favors.