Zhou Guanyu Joins Ferrari as Reserve Driver for 2025 Season After Sauber Exit

Zhou Guanyu has secured a new role in Formula 1, joining Ferrari as one of its reserve drivers for the 2025 season, alongside Antonio Giovinazzi.

The first-ever Chinese F1 driver, Zhou spent three years racing for Sauber (formerly Alfa Romeo) before losing his seat at the end of 2024. Despite a challenging final season, he managed to score Sauber’s only points with an eighth-place finish in Qatar. However, with the Swiss team preparing for its transition into Audi’s official entry in 2026, they opted for an all-new driver pairing—bringing in Nico Hülkenberg and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025.

A Return to Ferrari Roots

Zhou’s connection with Ferrari runs deep. He was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2014 to 2018, finishing runner-up in Italian F4 before progressing through F3. He later moved to Renault’s junior program, which helped him take the final step to F1, making his debut in 2022 with Sauber.

After departing from Sauber, Zhou received multiple reserve role offers from top teams, as F1’s increasingly demanding calendar has made depth in driver lineups more crucial than ever. Ferrari’s decision to bring him back reflects his reliability and experience.

Why Reserve Drivers Matter More Than Ever

The importance of reserve drivers was highlighted in 2024, when Oliver Bearman stepped in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after the Spaniard underwent appendicitis surgery. The young Brit impressed by finishing seventh, later replacing Kevin Magnussen twice at Haas and securing more points in Azerbaijan.

Similarly, Valtteri Bottas will serve as Mercedes’ reserve driver in 2025, reinforcing the significance of a strong backup lineup.

At Ferrari, Giovinazzi will continue in his reserve role while also competing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), meaning Zhou will share Ferrari’s stand-in duties with the Italian throughout the season.

Future Prospects: Could Zhou Return to the Grid?

Zhou’s new role could be a stepping stone back to a full-time race seat. With GM/Cadillac set to enter F1 in 2026, running Ferrari power units and gearboxes, his experience driving a Ferrari F1 car could boost his chances of securing a drive with the American-backed team.

For now, Zhou remains firmly in the F1 paddock, waiting for an opportunity to reclaim a place on the grid.