Much like teammate Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu has had a tricky few months. Not only are Sauber struggling for results, but seats are running out on the 2025 grid. Zhou is among the drivers without a contract for next season and fighting to stay in F1. Although his options appear limited, the 25-year-old is optimistic about the future.
Sauber and Alpine are the last options
At various stages this season, Zhou has been linked to different midfield outfits. Of most relevance are Alpine and Sauber, the two teams representing the most realistic paths forward for the Chinese driver.
Sauber remains undecided on their driver line-up for next year, even after several months of deliberation.
After missing out on their ideal targets (Sainz and Ocon), the Hinwil operation is taking its time before making any commitments for 2025.
The arrivals of Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley inevitably add a new element of uncertainty about the team’s future direction.
However, regardless of Audi’s new leadership, Zhou Guanyu is not seen as a favourite to earn a new contract.
With Bottas regularly outperforming him (and the Finn himself not a front-runner to earn an extension), his chances appear slim.
Elsewhere, Alpine are expected to sign Jack Doohan.
It is worth mentioning that Zhou has been occasionally linked to the French outfit, having been in Alpine’s academy before joining Sauber in F1.
Still, these reports from several months ago have not gone beyond tentative whispers. In this sense, there is nothing concrete.
Zhou discusses 2025 chances
The one positive for Zhou, like the other drivers without 2025 contracts, is that time hasn’t run out.
Contract talks are still taking place behind the scenes and will likely continue until after the summer break.
Speaking to The Race, Zhou spoke honestly about the future:
“I want to stay in this championship. That’s what I want to do.
“But in terms of what I do, if I become a third driver, I haven’t thought about it.
“My mindset is on getting a seat because there’s still, I would say, a chance of 50% or more that I get a seat.”
The 25-year-old’s assessment is more optimistic than what many would provide, especially with Jack Doohan seen as the favourite to join Alpine next year.
Regardless of whether Zhou has access to information unknown to the general public, his future remains uncertain.
