Zhou Guanyu is actively discussing his future within the Formula 1 paddock following the news that he will leave Sauber at the end of 2024.
Sauber announced on Wednesday that Zhou and Valtteri Bottas will leave the Swiss team at the end of the season.
Shortly after the announcement of their dismissal was made public, Sauber revealed that Gabriel Bortoleto will partner Nico Hulkenberg in 2025 and beyond.
Despite his full-time F1 career coming to an end, Zhou has plenty of positives to take from his three-year tenure with Sauber.
READ MORE – Sauber announces Gabriel Bortoleto to complete 2025 F1 line-up
“I will be leaving Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber at the end of the 2024 season,” Zhou wrote in a statement on social media.
“I would like to thank all of the fans for their continued support.
“You have been fantastic, and you continue to inspire me.
“I am immensely proud to represent my country as the first ever Chinese Formula 1 driver.
“I hope that my racing continues to inspire others who are following my story.
“I am happy to have already achieved many things under difficult conditions in Formula 1, including scoring points in my first race, fastest laps and some memorable battles throughout the grid.”
Zhou Guanyu is ‘positive’ about life after Sauber
Zhou’s start to life in F1 came with a 10th-place finish for Sauber (as Alfa Romeo) in the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Sauber started F1’s ground effect rule cycle as a midfield outfit, but partway through the 2022 campaign, the wheels started to come off the wagon.
The Hinwil-based squad clung to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022 with 55 points, before slipping to ninth the following year with just 16 points.
Sauber is yet to score in 2024 and Zhou has routinely struggled to get to grips with the underperforming C44 machine, consistently being out-paced by team-mate Bottas.
Still, with just the Red Bull driver lineups left to settle, it appears Zhou is seeking a Reserve Driver opportunity for 2025.
“Sadly, the last two seasons have been challenging for all, but I want to look forward,” said Zhou.
“I am positive about the future, and I am now totally focused on making sure that I can truly show what I am capable of.
“I’m now discussing a number of options to stay in the Formula 1 paddock, will update you all soon.”
READ MORE – Sauber to part ways with Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas at the end of 2024
