Zhou Guanyu’s Formula 1 career looks as if it is coming to an abrupt end at the conclusion of the 2024 season after three years in the sport.
The Chinese driver has failed to impress Sauber enough to be retained for 2025, and with no options elsewhere on the grid, looks set to wave goodbye to Formula 1.
Although he didn’t put in too many highlight reel performances, his scary crash at the 2022 British Grand Prix and the things learned from a safety standpoint will continue to be valuable to the sport for a while.
Looking elsewhere in a very competitive racing sphere, it appears that most series have very few seats left for next season already, which could prove to be a problem for Zhou.
Zhou Guanyu left with no Formula E option for 2025
The Chinese driver has ignored all other forms of motorsport to focus on staying in Formula 1, but his only hope now looks like a 2026 drive.
Even then, that’s unlikely considering the sheer number of young and talented drivers that are going to be available over the next few years.
Formula E has a good Chinese presence, and the electric car market is booming over there, presenting a possible opportunity for Zhou.
But, according to GPblog, it appears he may be too late to the trend, with the final two seats on the grid at ERT already wrapped up.
They claim that the series is ‘no longer an option’, which leaves him in a tight spot regarding a full-time drive for 2025.
Could Zhou return to his former employers for a chance?
His best option at this time is a test or reserve driver role with any of the Formula 1 teams that require a serviceable and experienced option.
He has proven that he can deliver steady and consistent pace against a strong teammate in Valtteri Bottas and knows how to give good feedback in debriefs.
Alpine have just promoted their simulator and test driver Jack Doohan to a full-time role for 2025, so there could be an opening there to be filled at a team that Zhou is familiar with?
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He was a part of their driver academy from 2019 to 2021, and even filled the role that Doohan has just relinquished for two of those years.
The Aussie has a one-year contract, so if he doesn’t perform well and Zhou can put some good work in, it could be his best option to secure a return to the grid.