Ferrari has announced a farewell to 2025 reserve driver Zhou Guanyu, with the Chinese driver parting ways with the Maranello team ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Zhou joined Ferrari as a reserve driver in 2025 alongside Antonio Giovinazzi after losing his seat at Sauber at the end of 2024. He was also a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2014 to 2018.
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“Thank you Guanyu Zhou for his commitment and contribution as Ferrari reserve driver this season! I wish him all the best for the future,” the team wrote in a social media post.
The 26-year-old had hoped that staying in F1 would help him secure a seat for 2026, with his main target being the new Cadillac F1 Team, which will debut this year as the championship’s 11th team.
“I do aspire to get back in a racing seat and race in F1 full-time,” Zhou told us F1.com at the start of the 2025 season. “In terms of the long-term goals, it’s very clear and straightforward. I’m sure everyone knows that.
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“But I do think that even though you have these years, [it helps] Although it has settled down, it is still a very important role. It’s not like being a reserve driver, I feel like I’m being left behind [out]. I think I have a very [big] Responsibilities with the team.
Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari
Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari
“You’re out there trying to win games, you’re still making an impact, so that’s very important, everything here is very important. I’m still going to work on it, but if the opportunity comes, no doubt I’ll be fighting for a comeback.”
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Cadillac opted to sign former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and Zhou’s former Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas, leaving Zhou without a contract through 2026 again.
Zhou is yet to announce his next career move after parting ways with Ferrari.
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