Set aside Zhou to seize 'any chance' in '25.
Guanyu Zhou acknowledges that he "lost hope" regarding his future in Formula 1 with the Audi-owned Sauber team last year. The first-ever Chinese race driver in the sport spent three years with the Hinwil-based team following his debut in 2022, but, like Valtteri Bottas, he lost his seat at the end of the last season.
For 2025, he is set to return to Ferrari, where he was a junior driver before his Formula 1 career, and this year he will act as a joint reserve alongside Antonio Giovinazzi. The 25-year-old stated that racing in Shanghai last year was the highlight of his life, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Last year, I finally got the opportunity to race at home," he told Chinese media this week, "but unfortunately, from the start of the season, we had the slowest car and couldn’t even compete in the midfield." As a result, he considers 2024 a "season I’d like to forget."
"Initially, things appeared to be fine, but once our pit stop problems were sorted, I found myself in the slowest car on the grid. After a long time, I lost hope for the future."
Nonetheless, Zhou asserts that he has not given up on his next goal: "returning to Formula 1."
"I have not yet fulfilled my full potential," he emphasizes.
"I’m still focused on the future, and with many rookies on the grid this year, anything can happen. I remain available and ready to seize any opportunity."
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