Zhou Guanyu’s F1 future remains uncertain as he opens up on dreams and regrets amid Sauber struggles.
Despite making history as the first Chinese driver to compete in F1, Zhou has endured a challenging year with Sauber, leaving his place on the grid for 2025 in jeopardy.
In a series of exclusive interviews, he has opened up about his struggles to adapt to the Sauber car, his dreams of success in F1, and the regrets that have marked his journey so far.
With his current contract set to expire, Zhou Guanyu’s F1 future remains uncertain as the 25-year-old fights not only for his place on the grid but also against the prejudices that have followed him since his arrival in the sport.
Adapting to Sauber struggles
Zhou’s challenges this season have been well-documented. The Sauber car has proven to be a handful, requiring a driving style that he has struggled to master.
Valtteri Bottas has outraced Zhou 9-5 in grands prix (although Zhou has outraced Bottas 2-1 in sprints) and the qualifying gulf is far more stark: Bottas has outqualified Zhou 13-1 so far.
“I would say in racecraft we’re similar. On a lot of occasions I’ve actually been a little bit quicker than him [Bottas],” Zhou told The Race. “Also, in the last few weekends, I was compromised because I started behind him.
“That is a weakness, it’s probably one lap pace with this year’s configuration of car. It’s tricky for me because the car doesn’t suit my driving style over one lap and it requires a very high level of smoothness on input.
“My driving style is a little bit more aggressive, which has worked well in the last few years with the car, especially last year – I was able to always get it together.”
The need to change his approach has particularly hurt Zhou over a single lap in qualifying but despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the team’s potential.
“This year I am not so happy,” he acknowledged. “Towards mid-season before the summer break, I could do a better job myself.
“I think there’s some mistakes, or in qualifying I wasn’t able to give it [my] all. But obviously I have that limitation of trying to adapt my driving style so sometimes the mistakes are happening.
“This side I think I can do a better job. Apart from that, I think the last two-and-a-half seasons I was able to gradually gain some performance and improve, which I’m happy with.
“But this season is a mixed feeling with everything.”
Facing Prejudice and Uncertainty
Zhou’s arrival in F1 was a historic moment for motorsport, but it has not been without its challenges. The Chinese driver has faced racist abuse and prejudice from those who were not following his career in Formula 2.
“In 2021, when I signed with Alfa Romeo, there was a lot of racist abuse because people weren’t following my career,” he said. “Now we see a driver who is outside the top 10 in F2 getting a seat, and there is a lot of support for him.”
With his contract set to expire, Zhou Guanyu’s F1 future hangs on the balance as he faces an uphill battle to secure his place on the 2025 grid and remains uncertain about the prospects for more Chinese drivers in F1.
“I don’t think anyone expected a Chinese driver to be in F1, and I don’t think there will be another one in the next five or ten years,” he acknowledged.
“I mean, if it comes to the case, obviously, you need to see exactly where the whole project [is going],” he said. “Because I think to be a reserve driver would be interesting if they can promise a seat is available for the coming seasons.”
Dreams and Regrets
Zhou has performed credibly in F1. He is usually close to Valtteri Bottas – a highly experienced winner of 10 grands prix and 20-time pole position holder – on pace. The 25-year-old is consistent, makes minimal mistakes, and has suffered from his share of bad luck over the years.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Zhou remains driven by his dreams of success in F1. However, he also acknowledges the regrets and frustrations that have marked his journey so far.
“Of course I have some regrets, you always feel like you do,” he admitted. “I don’t feel I’ve had the most smooth seasons up until this point.
“I even feel like the first year I had a lot of chances going away by technical issues and then this year is the fact of where we stand and you have to accept that.
“Last year, I felt like I was giving it my all and felt like everything was coming along together but then I was a little frustrated because this year you expect everything to do another step better but then it went a bit backwards.
“I hoped I could have had some better results in races where I had a better chance.”
One particular disappointment was the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Zhou had managed his best qualifying effort to line up fifth on the grid.
However he found himself lose his advantage after a bizarre start problem caused a sluggish getaway. Contact with Daniel Ricciardo exacerbated the pain for Zhou, who ultimately finished a lapped 16th.
“That one was disappointing,” he recollected. “But things like that always happen in racing.”
“I’m just grateful to have a chance here and to have a platform where I’m able to represent a Chinese driver in this sport.”
Looking to the Future
As the 2024 season enters its final stages, Zhou remains focused on the task at hand.
“I don’t think it can get much worse than the first part,” he said. “As a team we are having different issues and difficulties.
“So, yeah, hopefully that now we can have a very straightforward next 10 races and get back to where I think it’s the whole team we are aiming for.”
Despite the challenges, Zhou remains optimistic about his future in the sport. Recently he’s been handed what he sees as a significant boost, perhaps even a lifeline, with Sauber having announced that former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto will head the team.
“For the future or for next year, it’s definitely better,” he said, citing his relationship with new Sauber team principal Mattia Binotto.
“For the future or for next year, it’s definitely better. I’ve known him for quite a while now, being involved with Ferrari’s academy for several years.
As he fights for his place on the grid, Zhou is also contemplating the possibility of a reserve driver role. However, he is cautious about making such a move, insisting on clear commitments to future driving opportunities.
“I want to stay in this championship,” he said. “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 percent or more that I get a seat.”
