Optimistic Zhou discussing 'a number of options' to stay in F1
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Departing Suber driver Zhou Guanyu remains optimistic about his F1 prospects and is actively exploring opportunities to stay within the sport.
The 25-year-old, who became the first Chinese driver to race in F1 when he joined Sauber in 2022, will end his tenure with the Swiss outfit next month in Abu Dhabi.
As it prepares for its transition to becoming the full works Audi team in F1 in 2026, Sauber has opted to entrust its cars next season to a blend of experience and youth, with Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto carrying the team's hopes of a prosperous future.
Reflecting on his time with Sauber, Zhou expressed pride in his accomplishments and gratitude for his fan base's support over the past three seasons.
"I will be leaving Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber at the end of the 2024 season," Zhou wrote in a post on social media. "I would like to thank all of the fans for their continued support.
"You have been fantastic, and you continue to inspire me. I am immensely proud to represent my country as the first ever Chinese Formula 1 driver.
"I hope that my racing continues to inspire others who are following my story.
"I am happy to have already achieved many things under difficult conditions in Formula 1, including scoring points in my first race, fastest laps and some memorable battles throughout the grid."
Despite facing a challenging period Sauber, Zhou holds many fond memories of his stint with the Hinwil squad, including his first home Grand Prix in China in 2024.
On home turf last April in Shanghai, Zhou narrowly missed out on points in the Sprint Race and was rewarded with an emotional standing ovation from the passionate Chinese fans at the end of Sunday's main event.
Sauber's COO and CTO, Mattia Binotto, paid tribute to Zhou's contributions both on and off the circuit.
"We are grateful to Zhou for the last three years, for the commitment and the hunger he has shown from the first moment he drove for us to today," Binotto stated.
"Scoring points on debut and helping the team to P6 in 2022 was a statement of intent, but so was his contribution off track and at the factory.
We want to celebrate our journey together with three strong races to finish this season, and both the team and Zhou are committed to giving everything in Las Vegas, Doha, and Abu Dhabi together."
Looking ahead, Zhou remains optimistic about his future in F1 and is already exploring "a number of options" to stay involved in the sport.
"Sadly, the last two seasons have been challenging for all, but I want to look forward," he added on social media.
"I am positive about the future, and I am now totally focused on making sure that I can truly show what I am capable of.
"I'm now discussing a number of options to stay in the Formula 1 paddock, will update you all soon."
Zhou's departure from Sauber may close one chapter, but his unwavering determination and popularity with fans suggest that his F1 story could yet continue.
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