Ferrari reserve drivers who secured full-time F1 seats amid Zhou Guanyu move

02/08/2025 05:36 PM

Ferrari has officially announced that Zhou Guanyu will take on the role of the team's reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season, supporting their star lineup of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Zhou, who has spent the past three seasons competing with Sauber, has endured a tough stint at the back of the grid, accumulating just 16 points over that period. Despite his struggles, he enjoyed a career highlight in 2024 when he had the opportunity to race in front of a passionate home crowd in Shanghai, receiving a hero's welcome from an enthusiastic Chinese fanbase.

Sauber confirmed that both Zhou and his teammate Valtteri Bottas would be leaving the team at the conclusion of the 2024 campaign. Zhou's dogged performance in Qatar, where he secured the only points of the season for the Swiss outfit, underscored his determination and skill.

With Bottas securing a role as Mercedes' reserve driver for 2025, speculation mounted over whether Zhou would remain involved in F1. Liberty Media, eager to maintain the sport's presence in the Asian market, was keen on keeping him in the paddock. While a return to Alpine was rumored, and Red Bull briefly considered signing him as a reserve driver before reversing their decision, Zhou ultimately found his way back to Ferrari, having previously been part of their driver academy.

Sharing reserve duties with Antonio Giovinazzi, questions remain over whether Zhou might get the chance to drive for the Maranello team in 2025. While he already has F1 race experience, history has shown that several Ferrari reserve drivers have later secured full-time seats in the sport.

Ferrari Reserve Drivers Who Secured Full-Time F1 Seats

During the 1990s, Luca Badoer competed for teams such as Lola, Minardi, and Forti before becoming Ferrari's test and reserve driver from 1998 to 2010. His long-standing role with the team eventually led to two race outings in 2009 when he replaced the injured Felipe Massa at Valencia and Spa. However, his performances were underwhelming, and he was soon replaced by Giancarlo Fisichella.

Massa himself first joined Ferrari as a reserve driver in 2003 after being dropped by Sauber. A year later, he returned to a race seat with the Swiss outfit before securing a full-time Ferrari drive in 2006, a partnership that lasted eight seasons and yielded 11 Grand Prix victories. His career continued with Williams, where he remained competitive for several more years.

Another promising Ferrari reserve driver was Jules Bianchi, who held the role in 2011 before stepping up to a full-time seat with Marussia in 2013. The talented Frenchman was widely expected to join Ferrari in the future, but his career was tragically cut short following a fatal crash at Suzuka in 2014.

Bianchi's godson, Charles Leclerc, also followed a similar path. After serving as Ferrari's reserve driver in 2016, he made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2018 before earning his place in the Ferrari lineup a year later. His promotion saw him replace Antonio Giovinazzi, who himself later became a Ferrari reserve driver before securing a full-time drive with Alfa Romeo from 2019 to 2021.

Most recently, Ferrari's latest young talent, Oliver Bearman, held the reserve role in 2024. He made an unexpected but impressive F1 debut in Jeddah when he substituted for the unwell Carlos Sainz. Ollie Bearman will continue in this role while also preparing for his first full-time F1 season with Haas in 2025.

Zhou's Aspirations for a Full-Time Return in 2026

As Ferrari's reserve driver, Zhou will contribute to the team's simulator program and assist with commercial engagements for the Scuderia's sponsors. Should Leclerc or Hamilton be unable to race at any point in 2025, Zhou may be called upon to step in.

Looking beyond the upcoming season, Zhou remains determined to reclaim a full-time F1 seat in 2026. He has expressed confidence that his chances of returning to the grid are 'very high.'

A move to Cadillac appears to be the most viable option, as the American outfit is seeking an experienced driver to lead their F1 project. Furthermore, Cadillac will initially run Ferrari power units before transitioning to their own engines in 2030, creating a clear link between Zhou's current Ferrari role and a potential future race seat with the new team.

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