Guanyu Zhou’s performance in 2024 has been underwhelming so far. The Chinese driver has not managed to secure a position higher than eleventh, leaving him scoreless at the bottom of the championship. Consequently, a new contract with Sauber is yet to be finalized. However, other teams have reportedly shown interest in the 25-year-old Zhou, largely due to the substantial Chinese sponsorship he brings with him.
Guanyu Zhou has reportedly caught the attention of Haas. The American racing team is currently without drivers for the upcoming season. Kevin Magnussen is facing a series of penalties that could lead to his dismissal, and Nico Hülkenberg has announced his departure. The latter, however, was well-received by Sauber and signed a two-year contract.
According to German publication Auto, Motor und Sport, Sauber and Haas could potentially swap drivers – Guanyu Zhou is considered one of the options for the Americans. The Chinese driver not only brings three years of experience to the table, but also a significant amount of sponsorship money. Zhou represents a host of major Asian sponsors, reportedly bringing in around 30 million dollars in sponsorship funds.
Alpine’s Consideration
In the race for a new contract, Guanyu Zhou will have to compete against Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman – both of whom are already linked to a collaboration with Haas. At the same time, Zhou also stands a chance with Alpine. Between 2019 and 2021, he served as a test driver for the team from Enstone. The French team also has two seats available for 2025.
