Source -Formula1.com
In addition to current driver Antonio Giovinazzi, Ferrari has announced Zhou Guanyu’s return as a reserve driver for the 2025 season.
Zhou Guanyu’s Formula 1 journey has taken an unexpected but fitting turn as he finds himself back in the familiar embrace of Scuderia Ferrari. After much speculation surrounding his future following Kick Sauber’s decision to part ways with both him and Valtteri Bottas, the Chinese driver has secured a crucial role within the Maranello-based outfit as their reserve driver for the 2025 season. This marks a significant homecoming for Zhou, who first began his European motorsport career under Ferrari’s guidance nearly a decade ago.
Having been a member of the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy from 2015 to 2018, Zhou honed his skills in junior single-seater categories, climbing the ranks from Formula 4 to Formula 3 with the ambition of one day securing a place in Formula 1. His talent and perseverance led him to Formula 2, where he showcased his race-winning ability, eventually earning a seat in F1 with Alfa Romeo-backed Sauber in 2022. The move made history as he became China’s first full-time F1 driver, a milestone that cemented his status as a trailblazer for motorsport in his homeland.
Over the course of three seasons with Sauber, Zhou displayed moments of brilliance despite being in a midfield car. His journey saw him amass 68 Grand Prix starts and secure 16 championship points, but the team’s transition to Kick Sauber in 2024 set the stage for an overhaul. With the looming Audi takeover for 2026, the Swiss squad opted for a fresh start, leaving Zhou without a seat as they restructured their driver lineup. As the F1 carousel spun through the summer break and beyond, uncertainty loomed over Zhou’s next move, but now, Ferrari has provided him with a new chapter, one that brings him full circle to where his European racing career began.
The 25-year-old will now play a crucial role as a reserve driver for Ferrari, providing support to their high-profile lineup of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. His familiarity with the Ferrari ecosystem, coupled with his experience at the highest level of motorsport, makes him an ideal asset to the team, ensuring that he remains immersed in the F1 paddock even after stepping away from a full-time race seat. He will share his reserve duties with Antonio Giovinazzi, another driver deeply entrenched in Ferrari’s operations. Giovinazzi, a former Sauber racer himself, has been Ferrari’s trusted reserve driver for several years and continues to compete in endurance racing, where he notably helped Ferrari claim a historic victory at the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours in the #51 Ferrari 499P.
Zhou’s return to Ferrari does more than just secure him a place within Formula 1—it places him in an environment where opportunities could arise at any moment. With a season of change on the horizon for the Scuderia, the significance of having a reliable, race-ready reserve driver cannot be overstated. Ferrari’s decision to bring Zhou back into the fold is not merely a nostalgic reunion but a strategic move that ensures they have an experienced hand ready to step in should the need arise.
While Zhou’s immediate future may not include a spot on the F1 grid, his story is far from over. This role provides him with an invaluable chance to remain closely linked with the sport’s upper echelon while keeping the door open for a potential return to full-time racing. The road ahead may be uncertain, but with Ferrari backing him once again, Zhou Guanyu’s name is not one that will be forgotten anytime soon.
