Zhou Guanyu has expressed that he wants to avoid ending up in the same predicament Mick Schumacher has endured should he lose his place in Formula 1 in 2025.
Sauber signing Nico Hulkenberg on a long-term deal as it prepares to morph into a works Audi setup ensures either Zhou or team-mate Valtteri Bottas will not remain.
Zhou, who has been with Sauber since 2022, seems destined to miss out on retaining his drive amid a challenging season with a C44 car which hasn’t scored a point.
However, the Chinese racer is eager to guarantee that he doesn’t sustain an identical fate to Mick Schumacher, who has come up short in his attempts to return to F1.
Schumacher, who has served as Mercedes’ reserve driver since last term, has been unable to earn a reprieve in the series since Haas dropped him at the end of 2022.
“I feel like he waited a little bit too long because I think the wait he had, he could have gotten even better chances in other places,” Zhou told media including Motorsport Week.
“Because, obviously, right now, he still can’t get a seat for next year, which is a little bit difficult if I’m in his position.”
Zhou has not dismissed accepting a reserve role, but he is adamant that he would not be prepared to remain in that position long-term should a seat not be available.
“In Formula 1 you need to be very quick, efficient, and if there’s a chance to grab, if you continue to wait, you could be a third driver forever. That’s not the case I want.”
Zhou targeting F1 comeback in 2026
In the circumstance where he is replaced at Sauber, Zhou has revealed that he is targeting an F1 comeback to coincide with F1’s upcoming regulation change in 2026.
“At the moment, I think Formula 1 is the priority, and then if that doesn’t come, then we need to keep our eyes open,” Zhou explained.
“I’m in a position that if I need to wait a year, I’m willing to do so. But then if I waited more than one or two years, then I probably will take my exit from this championship.
“But at the moment, I’m just focused on F1.”
READ MORE: Exclusive: Zhou Guanyu opens up on Sauber F1 journey
