After spending three seasons competing for Alfa Romeo and later Sauber, Zhou Guanyu could have believed that his tenure within the System 1 paddock was set to conclude in 2025.
With Sauber opting to overtake its driver lineup for 2025, each Zhou and teammate Valtteri Bottas discovered themselves with out seats, making approach for Haas standout Nico Hülkenberg and newly topped System 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto. Nevertheless, Zhou had no intention of strolling away from System 1 and remained linked with a number of alternatives throughout the grid.
Stories urged Crimson Bull thought-about Zhou as a possible reserve driver, notably because of his potential position in aiding the event of younger expertise like Arvid Lindblad. However on Wednesday, it was formally confirmed that Ferrari had secured Zhou’s providers, assigning him to share reserve duties alongside one other former Sauber driver, Antonio Giovinazzi. This transfer retains the 25-year-old’s F1 aspirations alive regardless of a modest document of simply 16 factors throughout 68 Grand Prix begins.
Whereas his statistics is probably not essentially the most spectacular, Zhou did handle to outscore the way more skilled Valtteri Bottas in 2024, together with his standout efficiency coming on the Qatar Grand Prix, the place he completed eighth and earned widespread recognition for his efforts.
Former Haas group principal Guenther Steiner was fast to downplay Zhou’s season, claiming he solely had one sturdy race in 2024. Nevertheless, many argue that his struggles have been largely because of Sauber’s underperforming automobile fairly than his personal shortcomings. Ought to Ferrari discover itself needing a substitute, Zhou could possibly be referred to as upon to step in for both Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc throughout the 2025 season.
As demonstrated by new Haas recruit Oliver Bearman, sudden call-ups can happen extra incessantly than some could anticipate.
Lewis Hamilton as soon as praised Zhou Guanyu after standout qualifying show
Through the qualifying session for the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, Zhou delivered a career-best efficiency by securing fifth place on the grid. The achievement caught the eye of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who acknowledged Zhou’s efforts throughout the pre-race lap of the observe.
Hamilton, who had secured pole place for the race, approached the then-Alfa Romeo driver and mentioned, “Nice job yesterday, man! Actually nice job!” Zhou responded with a easy however appreciative, “Have a superb race!”
Regardless of ranging from the entrance, Hamilton was unable to stop Max Verstappen from clinching yet one more race win, whereas Zhou endured a tough afternoon. A poor begin led to a collision with Daniel Ricciardo, which in flip triggered a multi-car incident that pressured each Alpine drivers to retire. Zhou in the end completed in sixteenth place, removed from the expectations set by his spectacular qualifying run.
Whereas the race itself was disappointing, it served as a reminder of the uncooked expertise that Ferrari now hopes to make the most of. Zhou’s return to the Scuderia’s ranks is one thing of a full-circle second, on condition that he was a member of their driver academy between 2014 and 2018.
Zhou Guanyu has additionally spoken previously about Lewis Hamilton’s profound affect on System 1, additional highlighting the mutual respect between the 2 drivers.
Throughout his debut System 1 season in 2022, Zhou Guanyu mirrored on Lewis Hamilton’s profession and the challenges he had confronted. He remarked on Hamilton’s capability to deal with immense strain, describing it as exceptional.
Zhou Guanyu drew parallels between his personal experiences originally of the season and the struggles Hamilton had endured at varied factors in his profession. He acknowledged that whereas Hamilton needed to navigate these challenges whereas competing for a number of F1 titles, his personal focus was extra on securing factors and maximizing his automobile’s potential. Expressing his admiration, Guanyu Zhou emphasised the extent of respect he had for Hamilton’s achievements.
The previous Sauber man highlighted the issue of sustaining dominance in System 1, noting that successful seven championships was a unprecedented feat, no matter having the perfect automobile, as success nonetheless required immense talent and perseverance.
Zhou Guanyu additionally talked about that Hamilton had congratulated him after his debut race in Bahrain and that they sometimes stayed in contact. Although they’d not identified one another for lengthy, Zhou famous that 2022 was the primary season wherein he really acquired to know the seven-time champion. He acknowledged that Hamilton, as a competitor, didn’t supply him direct recommendation, however had nonetheless been supportive, recognizing the similarities of their respective journeys by the game.
Zhou Guanyu shall be keen to soak up as a lot data as he can from each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc all through the upcoming 12 months, utilizing their expertise and experience to refine his expertise and additional develop as a driver.
With an eye fixed on securing a full-time return to the System 1 grid in 2026, he stays decided to place himself for any potential alternatives. Though a direct path again by Ferrari seems unbelievable, the group’s intensive community and affect throughout the paddock may in the end work to his benefit, opening doorways that may in any other case stay closed.
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