Zhou hints at Ferrari reserve role: 'They're really interested'
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Outgoing Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu has revealed that Ferrari is "really interested" in securing him as a reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
With Sauber's transition to becoming the Audi works team in full swing, Zhou and teammate Valtteri Bottas will be replaced by Nico Hülkenberg and F2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto, leaving Zhou to explore his next move in F1.
A former member of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2014 to 2018, Zhou could be poised for a return to Maranello. While no decisions have been finalized, Zhou's comments suggest that discussions with Ferrari are well underway.
"We're talking to several teams and, of course, Ferrari remains one of the teams really interested in me," Zhou confirmed, quoted by Motorsport.com.
Zhou, who is navigating a challenging 2024 season with Sauber, emphasized the importance of taking time to evaluate his next step carefully.
"We need to see, obviously there's a lot of things coming up with the next few weekends for us to make a decision, but it's clear we are going through all the options we have and seeing where we are.
"From my side, I don't want to commit to the future just yet because I want to make sure everything is set down and is clear, and have a massive commitment to the next project.
"Hopefully something will be happening and decided soon. I think somewhere around the next few weeks I will have a clear idea."
Zhou's potential Ferrari opportunity comes after a tough 2024 campaign. The Sauber C44 has been one of the slowest cars on the grid, leaving Zhou and Bottas without points all season.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old has at times struggled to match Bottas, but his performance in Las Vegas offered a glimpse of his potential, outqualifying his experienced teammate for the third time this year and finishing 13th compared to Bottas's 18th.
Reflecting on the challenges, Zhou pointed to the limited updates on his car as a factor that hindered his performance in a critical year for his career.
"It's been a bit of a disappointing season, especially the second part, not having the upgrades that we wanted to have and always having the old package," Zhou admitted. "That forced me back a little bit at what was an important time for my future."
However, Zhou found solace in the performance of recent updates during the Las Vegas weekend.
"I think that's the best we've been in a while, since the summer," he said. "I'm just really happy the upgrade is working and the team's given me a car [with which] I can finally fight for what I know [I'm capable of].
"The confidence is back, which is the main topic I'm extremely happy with, and it's been a very positive weekend in terms of that."
However, the introduction in Vegas of a new floor and diffuser on the C44 appeared to deliver a performance gain.
"I think that's the best we've been in a while, since the summer," he said. "I'm just really happy the upgrade is working and the team's given me a car [with which] I can finally fight for what I know [I'm capable of].
"The confidence is back, which is the main topic I'm extremely happy with, and it's been a very positive weekend in terms of that.
"I'm very relieved and looking forward to the next two races together with the next chapter," Zhou said, signaling optimism for what lies ahead.
With Ferrari's enduring reputation and focus on cultivating talent, Zhou's return to Maranello could be a mutually beneficial arrangement, offering him a lifeline in F1 as he navigates the "next chapter" of his career.
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