Guanyu Zhou has been appointed as a reserve driver for Ferrari, the team announced on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Chinese driver previously raced for Sauber for three years, but after a disappointing 2024 season, his contract was not renewed. Joining Ferrari feels like coming home for Zhou, who was part of the Italians’ training program from 2015 to 2018. Meanwhile, regular reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi has extended his contract.
In the aftermath of the São Paulo GP, Sauber confirmed that Guanyu Zhou would not be on the grid in 2025. The Chinese driver reflected on a lackluster season; he and Valtteri Bottas, who also did not receive a new contract, consistently lagged behind. On Wednesday, Ferrari announced that Zhou would take on a role as a reserve driver within the Scuderia, supporting Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, Sauber will continue the 2025 season with Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Coming Home
After a successful karting career, Guanyu Zhou joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2015. With the Scuderia, he competed in Formula 4 and Formula 3 before leaving Maranello in 2018 – in the run-up to his Formula 2 debut. In 2022, he broke through as the first Chinese driver in the premier class of motorsport. With Sauber, he participated in 68 Grands Prix, scored 16 points, and set the fastest race lap twice.He will share the role of reserve driver with Antonio Giovinazzi, who has been collaborating with Ferrari since 2017. The Italian, who also raced for Sauber between 2018 and 2021, has extended his contract. In addition to this, Giovinazzi will continue to participate in the World Endurance Championship with the Ferrari 499P. In 2023, he won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Guanyu Zhou during his home race in China in 2024 (Motorsport Images)
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