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BREAKING: Zhou Guanyu Returns to Ferrari as Reserve Driver for 2025 After Losing Sauber Seat

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
February 5, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
BREAKING: Zhou Guanyu Returns to Ferrari as Reserve Driver for 2025 After Losing Sauber Seat
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After losing his Sauber Formula 1 seat, Zhou Guanyu has landed a lifeline at Ferrari, returning to the Scuderia as a reserve driver for the 2025 season.

The Chinese driver, who started his single-seater career as a Ferrari junior in 2014, will now support Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton alongside fellow reserve Antonio Giovinazzi.

Zhou’s Rollercoaster F1 Career

Zhou made his F1 debut with Sauber (Alfa Romeo) in 2022, partnering with Valtteri Bottas for three seasons. Despite a solid start and seven career points finishes, Sauber’s increasingly uncompetitive machinery made it difficult for him to shine.

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For 2025, Sauber opted for a complete driver overhaul, replacing both Zhou and Bottas with Nico Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto—leaving Zhou without a race seat.

Though never seriously in contention for another full-time drive, rumors swirled that Zhou might return to Ferrari in a reserve role—and now it’s official.

What Zhou’s Role at Ferrari Means for 2025

With Ferrari signing Lewis Hamilton to partner Charles Leclerc, Zhou will be one of the backup drivers available if either needs to be replaced.

He joins Antonio Giovinazzi, another ex-Sauber driver, in Ferrari’s reserve pool. However, Giovinazzi has a full-time racing commitment in the World Endurance Championship, meaning Zhou could be the primary in-house option for stand-in duties.

Could Ferrari Call on Haas’ Ollie Bearman Instead?

While Ferrari has two official reserve drivers, there’s a real chance that Haas rookie Ollie Bearman could be Ferrari’s go-to choice if a race seat opens mid-season.

F1 precedent suggests it’s possible:

  • In 2020, Mercedes bypassed its official reserve drivers and called George Russell up from Williams when Lewis Hamilton had COVID-19.
  • Ferrari could do the same with Bearman, who is already part of their junior academy and set for his full-time F1 debut with Haas in 2025.

Who Will Ferrari Use for Mandatory Rookie FP1 Sessions?

Under F1 regulations, teams must run a rookie driver in FP1 at least four times per season—but Zhou and Giovinazzi aren’t eligible as former race drivers.

Ferrari’s most likely choices include:
✅ Dino Beganovic – The Formula 2 driver just made his F1 testing debut in Barcelona alongside Giovinazzi.
✅ Arthur Leclerc – Charles Leclerc’s younger brother, who made his FP1 debut in Abu Dhabi last year.
✅ Antonio Fuoco – Ferrari’s development driver, who took part in the 2023 post-season Abu Dhabi test.

What’s Next for Zhou Guanyu?

With no other racing program confirmed yet, Zhou’s 2025 will likely revolve around Ferrari duties. However, it’s possible that he could explore opportunities in Formula E, WEC, or IndyCar if a competitive seat opens up.

Final Takeaway: Ferrari Adds Depth, Zhou Gets a Second Chance

For Zhou Guanyu, returning to Ferrari offers a solid safety net—keeping him inside the F1 paddock with potential future opportunities.

For Ferrari, the move bolsters their reserve driver lineup while still keeping an eye on future stars like Ollie Bearman.

Could this be a stepping stone for Zhou back into a race seat in the coming years? Only time will tell.

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