The Formula 1 2025 driver field is highly competitive. Nico Hülkenberg has secured one of the two cockpits at Sauber. That leaves one more free. Either Valtteri Bottas or Zhou Guanyu will be unemployed for the time being in 2025, possibly even both. What options are there outside of the Swiss team?
Zhou: I believe I can stay on the grid
The season so far has gone below expectations for Sauber. The Swiss are the only team along with Williams that have not yet been able to collect a point. The C44 doesn’t seem to be able to keep up with the pace of the other teams.
In the direct qualifying comparison, Zhou is clearly behind. It’s 6 to 0 there. After all: In the race comparison, he still has a draw with a score of 3:3. However, these are not great arguments for staying. Especially not for a team with the caliber of Audi. The German manufacturer Sauber will take over from 2026.
“I feel good. I think I can stay on the grid. But other than that, I can’t say much more. It’s always in the back of your mind, of course. It obviously disturbs your focus a bit. The announcement was earlier than I expected “But that doesn’t change my approach,” Zhou said.
Rumors of Carlos Sainz moving to Sauber are also persistent. Then both places would be gone. However, Sainz is keeping all options open. A seat at Mercedes or Red Bull is still possible.
As long as Zhou can still prove himself. “Of course it hasn’t been an easy process for us as drivers over the last few days. I’m still giving my all on the track because I want to show people what I’m capable of. That’s the most important thing.”
What are Zhou’s options?
In his just over two years, Zhou has so far been unable to achieve any really great highlights. There is therefore no interest from the top teams. Both seats are currently vacant at Haas. Kevin Magnussen’s contract is expiring and Nico Hülkenberg’s move has already been confirmed. The financially strapped Haas team could really use Zhou’s sponsorship money.
Williams is also an option. It is very questionable whether Logan Sargeant will still be in the Williams in 2025. However, Kimi Antonelli could also replace him, not Zhou. The Chinese don’t really have any more options.
“I wasn’t really involved with Nico that much. So I can’t say much about it. But I think everyone is looking at all possible options right now. Of course there is a possible place for the future here too,” said Zhou.