Zhou Guanyu has returned to Ferrari as a reserve driver for the 2025 F1 season. Ferrari has added him to the team as a backup option for the team along with Antonio Givinazzi. It puts an end to rumours over the Chinese racer's immediate future after Kick Sauber decided to reorganise their driver lineup and cut ties with Zhou and teammate Valtteri Bottas.
After making a comeback to Ferrari, he took to social media to share his excitement. On Twitter, he wrote, "Back to where it started. Thanks Ferrari for believing in me and can't wait to start this new chapter together." He had a great career with Sauber as he finished in eighth place in Qatar.
Zhou worked with the Maranello-based Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy for four years, from 2015 to 2018, progressing through the Formula 4 and Formula 3 single-seater levels. After graduating from the academy, he joined Sauber's squad, which was later supported by Alfa Romeo, in Formula 2, and after winning several races, he was promoted to Formula 1.
Ferrari got makeover after Lewis Hamilton joined the team
When the team switched to their Kick Sauber identity for the 2024 season, he stayed there, making 68 Grand Prix starts and increasing his point total to 16 before falling off the grid. With seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton joining Charles Leclerc this year, the renowned brand will field a reconfigured lineup, and Zhou will support Ferrari's full-time drivers in his new position. The 25-year-old's responsibilities will be split with those of Italian former Formula One driver Giovinazzi, who has been with Ferrari since 2017 and previously represented Sauber.
Giovinazzi, who previously drove the #51 Ferrari 499P to victory at the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours, will continue to compete in the World Endurance Championship in addition to his Ferrari reserve duties. Lewis Hamilton will start his new journey with Ferrari. His first race with Ferrari will be in Australia in March. Lewis Hamilton hasn't won the Australian Grand Prix in 2019 with Mercedes.