Sauber driver Zhou Guanuu has revealed that he would be open to returning to Alpine in 2025 as he assesses the available options to preserve his place in Formula 1.
Zhou is among the numerous drivers scrambling to secure their prospects past the ongoing campaign as his current contract with Sauber comes to an end this term.
Sauber’s decision to acquire Nico Hulkenberg from Haas for 2025 has ensured that either Zhou or team-mate Valtteri Bottas will be vacating their place with the side.
However, the Hinwil-based squad is also pursuing outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz as it continues to build towards morphing into a works Audi entrant from 2025.
With Sainz also embroiled in talks with Williams, though, Zhou has suggested that he would be prepared to remain with Sauber next season should that opening arise.
But with there being no guarantee that could be on the table, the Chinese driver views reviving his ties with Alpine as a credible avenue to prolong his time in the sport.
When asked whether Alpine could be an option for him in 2025, Zhou said in Canada: “I think the other [Sauber] seat is still available, so we still have an option.
“And of course, with Alpine I always had a very good connection in the past because that’s where really helped me to have the chance maybe before Formula 1.
“And then really grateful to join Alfa Romeo at the time and Sauber to have the chance. So now I’m open to other teams or open to discussion about my future.
“Nothing has been confirmed, but I feel like there should be a spot for me in the future on this grid, but I just don’t know where.”
Zhou has insisted that he has no desire to consider a third driver role at this stage and has his sights set on extending his permanent F1 career into a fourth season.
“I don’t want to be the reserve, I don’t want to take a year off,” he underlined.
“I don’t think at this kind of age of my career, I don’t really want to take a year off because in Formula 1, when you take a year off, it’s difficult to come back.
“Just because you’re not racing, it’s such a high level and every year, the cars are changing and you need to adapt, you need to understand something different.
“So my option is, of course, try to get a seat for next year, and reserve is definitely not an option at the moment.
“If you have to then we have to see, we have to consider, but at the moment I’m not to trying to think for that way.”
Zhou has admitted he can understand Sauber’s decision to sign the experienced Hulkenberg as it matches Audi’s previous intention to have a German driver onboard.
Regarding the options that remain on his side, Zhou believes the midfield represents an “unknown” with several drivers clambering to attain the last remaining places.
“Nico joined this team but [this] was already known because [of] Audi and also him coming from Germany and also having good results recently, so he kind of deserved one seat at this place,” Zhou accepted.
“And then the rest is mainly the other teams, to be honest, so that midfield is still very much unknown for everyone with a few seat spots available for everyone to grab at.
“So we need to see, hopefully taking the chance and see what happens.”
